IAF worried about safety of satellites

Defending space-based assets will assume vital importance for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the 21st century when satellites are likely to become vulnerable to attacks, said Air Chief Marshal P.V. Naik, Chief of the Air Staff.

Delivering the fourth Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre memorial lecture here on Friday, he said the dependence on satellites would naturally increase when space-based systems could accomplish missions in a technically superior manner and more economically than achieved by other means.

Hence, Air Chief Marshal pointed out that the vulnerability of satellites to anti-satellite weapons had become an issue and more so when the development of anti-satellite technologies was taking place in our neighbourhood.

“Networking and assimilation of space, both inter-dependent, are way forward. A quiet space race and even weaponisation to some extent, is becoming a reality. Perhaps more than others, it is air power that is more significantly enhanced by the integration of space enabled capabilities,” he said.
Technology

Admitting that there was a technology gap in the IAF, he said the technology would be core, and assimilating and operationalising the technology was a primary challenge for the IAF.

“Future wars are likely to be short, crisp and intense. Hence logistics and inventory management become crucial as well as critical,” the Air Chief Marshal pointed out.

He said that it was imperative that military and civil aviation integrate, for better efficiency, cost-effectiveness and for offering more options to the leadership.
Indigenisation

Making it clear that the IAF supported the national quest for indigenisation, he said: “There are a number of areas wherein we lack industrial base and simply do not possess the requisite capabilities. We have to accept that we cannot develop capabilities in each and every field.”

“We must therefore identify core technologies which have a promise of maximum potential in indigenisation and pursue them vigorously. Some of these areas, in my view, are critical areas like avionics, simulation, electronic warfare, communication and so on. It is imperative that we identify emerging technologies and concentrate on developing them. We should develop niche capabilities in specific spheres,” Air Chief Marshal said.

He said the IAF would recommend a collaborative and participative approach of partnerships between users, Defence Research and Development Organisation, the Government, the industry and the foreign vendors. “In this collaborative effort, we believe that the user must be the captain,” Air Chief Marshal made it clear.
HAL’s initiative

Apart from producing aircraft and supporting their maintenance through overhauls, spares support and mid-life upgrades, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) is now thinking of extending its footprint in the operations at the Squadron level.

“We are now looking at providing a comprehensive performance based logistics solution through 1st and 2nd line maintenance thus increasing the share of value added services to IAF. HAL would make a proposal to IAF shortly in this regard as we consider this will enable IAF to concentrate more on the operations and strategic side of flying rather on the maintenance of its assets,” said HAL chairman Ashok Nayak while speaking on the occasion.