Serving Air Vice Marshal Explains How, In 19 Years, IAF Has Extended Its Reach Way Beyond India's Borders

The Indian Air Force (IAF) recently showcased its ability to strike enemy targets located over 1,500 kilometres away using Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets armed with BrahMos-A extended-range (ER) supersonic missiles.

This achievement positions the IAF as a truly global air force, capable of exerting influence and threat far beyond India's borders.

Yet, just 19 years ago, the situation was quite different. IAF Jaguar fighters, with the assistance of the IL-78 MKI aerial refueling aircraft, took over three weeks to fly to the US to take part in its first-ever international exercise — Cope Thunder 2004.

The return journey was equally time-consuming, taking another three weeks, resulting in more than two months spent away from their home base.

Fast forward to the present day, and the IAF has undergone a dramatic transformation. It now possesses the capability to swiftly reach any location worldwide, whether for airlifting humanitarian supplies to disaster-stricken regions or evacuating Indian citizens from conflict zones.

Here is how, in just 19 years, the IAF extended its reach way beyond Indian borders, in the words of IAF Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jagbir Singh, who gave an interview to the Times of India."

The AVM states, "over the years, the Indian Air Force has evolved, modernised and adapted to the demands of the rapidly changing geopolitical landscape."

He points out three distinct aspects in IAF's strategic reach stating, "three strands clearly stand out in IAF's strategic reach — its participation in international multilateral exercise deployments, assisting global disaster relief efforts, and reaching out to our diaspora in times of crisis wherever that may be."

Singh credits the IAF's enhanced long-range capabilities to aerial refueling, which he describes as a game changer.

He cites a recent example of this capability in action stating, "in July this year, IAF flew four Rafale aircraft non-stop for 10 hours after three en route dockings to Paris to participate in France's Bastille Day celebrations. After four days of flying display, the aircraft were back to their base on the fifth day."

This is in stark contrast to the time it took during the Cope Thunder 2004 exercises, where it took three weeks for the IAF to transport four Jaguar aircraft.

"In Cope Thunder-2004, it took three weeks to ferry four Jaguar aircraft assisted by two IL-78 refuellers with multiple halts to finally reach Alaska. After 20 days of the exercise, it took another three weeks to return. In all two months out of base," the AVM says.

In fact, the IAF is currently demonstrating this capability by airlifting essential rescue and relief materials to Nepal, which has experienced multiple earthquakes in the last two days (5 November).

Singh highlights the IAF's participation in international military engagements, with over 40 multinational exercises conducted last year, many of which involved tri-service participation.

"This showcases IAF's ability to undertake fighter operations expeditiously across the globe. Alongside India's expanding global aspirations, the participation by its armed forces in joint international exercises has also increased dramatically. Last year saw over 40 international military engagements, most of them joint in nature with tri-service participation," he states.

The acquisition of advanced long-range tactical and strategic platforms, such as C-17, C-130J-30, and IL-78 aerial refuelers, has played a crucial role in enhancing the IAF's capabilities.

Singh recounts the IAF's humanitarian efforts, starting with the 2005 mission to provide aid to the US following Hurricane Katrina, which took two weeks to reach Arkansas.

Eighteen years later, when in February 2023, earthquakes devastated Turkey, IAF jets reached the disaster-stricken area within hours, delivering essential rescue materials.

He also points out the successful evacuation of Indian citizens from war-torn countries like Libya, Yemen, Kabul, Ukraine and Sudan.

The AVM explains, "IAF's strategic potential to reach across continents speedily has changed the paradigm of airlift first witnessed out of Libya in 2011 and Yemen in 2015 that took days and months. During 'Op Ganga' in 2022, over 3,000 citizens were evacuated in just six days from a war zone after the Ukraine crisis erupted. The airlift of over 700 Indians out of Kabul amid turbulence and violence was also executed seamlessly by IAF."

He emphasises the professionalism of IAF's crew in executing these missions, even in challenging scenarios.

Singh said, "not many nations can execute a mission to rescue stranded countrymen and women from an isolated, unlit airstrip in Sudan, professionally planned from a distance of 5,000 kilometres."