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After the success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing a major transformation in aerial warfare strategy. Defense sources have revealed that by 2040, the IAF aims to induct 20 squadrons of unmanned stealth aircraft, numbering between 300 and 400 jets.
This project is separate from the IAF’s target of 42 squadrons of manned fighters and is seen as a crucial step towards gaining a technological edge in future conflicts.
The planned fleet will range from 1-ton to 13-ton aircraft and will be divided into three categories:
Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA):
Small-sized jets designed to fly alongside manned fighters such as Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas Mk2 and AMCA. Their primary role will be to suppress enemy air defenses, conduct reconnaissance, and strike targets. The IAF plans to raise 10–12 squadrons of these aircraft.
Tactical Stealth Fighter-Bombers:
Medium-weight jets (5–10 tonnes) capable of precision strikes in enemy territory. Equipped with weapons like the Rudram missile and BrahMos-II, their design will be similar to the American XQ-58 Valkyrie.
Unmanned Stealth Fighters:
The heaviest category, weighing 10–13 tonnes. DRDO’s Ghatak UCAV is an example, featuring a 4-ton payload, supercruise capability, and AI-driven autonomy for independent missions and leadership over other aircraft.
According to officials, this mixed fleet will give India operational flexibility across scenarios—from limited border clashes to a full-scale two-front war.
This jingo would have liked them to add to this project/vision, squadron numbers for Recce/ISR UAVs as well.
(And thousands of squadrons of one-way kamikaze drones for and under the command of the Indian Army )
It's good that the IAF is looking at long range missiles, but I'm a bit surprised that the list does not include any long range AAMs. Till such time as the Astra Mk2/3 enter service, we still seem to be facing a range gap. Nobody even seems to be clear whether the Meteor has been integrated with our Rafales, whether it has a 2-way data link etc. and we still don't have enough Rafales to begin with. Frankly the only imported missile I would like to see as an emergency purchase would be the R-37M for our Su-30s. Sure, it may take some time for the integration, but pretty sure it will happen much faster than the alternatives.
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