Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, announced on Friday the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ambitious goal of becoming a major aerospace power by 2047. He emphasized that the IAF has already taken significant strides toward this vision, including preparing its personnel to be more space-oriented.
Speaking at the ‘Chanakya Dialogues Conclave’, Air Chief Marshal Singh said, “We would like to be an aerospace power by 2047… We have already taken steps towards educating our people to be more space-oriented.”
The IAF has played a key role in the Gaganyaan project, India’s ambitious human spaceflight mission. Notably, the four astronauts, known as ‘Gaganauts’, are IAF officers, and the force’s medical and training teams were instrumental in their selection and training. The IAF has also contributed to the safety protocols of the mission.
“The Indian Air Force has been involved in the Gaganyaan project from the start. The four Gaganauts were our officers, and our medical and training teams played a crucial role in their initial selection and training. The safety requirements of this manned mission were defined with valuable input from the IAF,” Singh noted.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate India’s human spaceflight capabilities by launching a three-member crew to a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission and ensuring their safe return by landing in Indian sea waters.
Adding to India’s space ambitions, IAF officer Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission. This mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space’s Director of Human Spaceflight. The team also includes mission specialists from the European Space Agency and astronauts from Poland and Hungary.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was recently chosen as the ‘Prime’ astronaut for the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for spring 2025.
Looking ahead to 2047, Air Chief Marshal Singh envisions an IAF equipped with a fleet of advanced aircraft, including Rafale and upgraded Su-30 class jets. The force aims to enhance interoperability with ground, land, and maritime forces to enable seamless communication and data transfer during operations.
“By 2047, I foresee that the IAF will consist of aircraft all above the 4.5 generation. The simplest aircraft we’ll operate will be Rafale or upgraded Su-30 class jets. There will be complete interoperability with ground, land, and maritime forces, ensuring efficient communication networks,” Singh stated.
With automation and advanced technologies playing a pivotal role, the IAF is set to improve decision-making speeds and maintain global standards in aerospace capabilities.
“We should be able to transfer data in real-time during flight operations. With the help of automation, we can process this data swiftly and make faster, more accurate decisions. Technology-wise, we hope to be at par with global aerospace powers,” Singh added.
As India approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047, the IAF is determined to take a giant leap forward, solidifying its position as a leading aerospace power on the global stage.
