Background

India has always had a strong military partnership with Russia. Now there appears a shift as India moves closer to the United States.But India would be wrong to put all its eggs in the basket of the USA and the West as for long during the cold war, when the West denied India the latest weaponry in preference to Pakistan, it was only the Soviet Union that stood by India , vetoing many a resolution on Kashmir brought by the Western powers in the Security Council. Indian Air Force at that time was denied  the latest fighter aircraft by the West in preference to Pakistan which was gifted the F-104( star Fighter).

India had always relied on British and American aircraft before this ugly episode. It will be remembered that in 1932 the Skeene report recommended the setting up of the IAF, later the Royal Indian Air Force(RIAF). This was during the days of the Raj. This was not with a view to help India, but the primary purpose was to use much needed aircraft to bomb the Afghans and Pushtoons in the rebellious North West Frontier region of the Raj. The first batch of Indian trainees called " Hawai Sepoys" left for training on 8 October 1932 and the IAF was officially born. It's initial base was a large airfield close to Karachi( Now in Pakistan). The IAF was equipped with the Westland  Wapiti a Biplane and the Lysender. These planes were used extensively against the Muslim tribesmen of the NW Frontier who had declared "Jihad" against the English. In fact even as early as 1897, the Afghans and Pushtoons had waged a Jihad against the English under Gul Shah, but had been defeated.

In 1939 World War II broke out and the British Empire in the East was gobbled up by the Imperial Army of Japan. The Japanese captured Indo-China and Singapore and ousted the English from Burma. The RIAF was thrown into battle  against the Japanese. There was also a need to modernize the RIAF and accordingly the latest fighter aircraft the Spitfire and Hurricane were incorporated in the RIAF. The RIAF saw action against the Japanese in Burma. During the war a need was felt for a transport squadron and plans were made to induct the C-47 ( military version of the DC-3) into the RIAF. By the time these aircraft were inducted the war was over. The first transport squadron  was commissioned in 1946.

When the British left India in 1947, the RIAF was completely equipped with British and American aircraft. Just after independence the IAF inducted the De Havilland Vampire , a jet fighter bomber in the IAF. Thai was the first jet plane incorporated as part of its arsenal by any air force in Asia.

Things began to change once the Cold War commenced as the Western powers showed their preference for Pakistan and an Indian request for a supersonic fighter was turned down. The IAF wanted the English Lightening Mark II, but the British flatly refused. The Indian government was nonplussed as to what to do.

Momentous changes were taking place in Russia and Stalin died in 1953. He was a man who was opposed to Gandhi and Nehru and often referred to them as " running dogs of imperialism". Stalin had also refused to send a message of condolence on the assassination of Gandhi. The new leader Nikita Khrushchev had other ideas and wished to counter balance the USA. He along with Nikolai Bulganin visited India in 1955 and an effort was made to mend fences.

In India the left leaning Krishna Menon , a close friend of Nehru was appointed the Defense Minister. His fondness for the communist bloc was well known. He sent feelers to the Soviet Union for a supersonic fighter plane. The matter was considered in the Politburo led by Khrushchev and it was decided to give India the Soviets most advanced fighter interceptor at that time the MIG -21.

The Russians also agreed to give India the technology for manufacture of the plane. This was a diplomatic coup and the West led by the USA was stunned. General Eisenhower  the US President was against the deal and offered a a plane, but the dice was cast as the Russians were also transferring technology. The plane would be built in India at a later date. Accordingly 2 factories for manufacture of the MIG 21 were set up at Nashik and Koraput. At that critical moment it was only the Soviets who stood by India.

The IAF goes  whole  Hog for Russian Aircraft

The first MIGs entered the IAF inventory in 1959 and the plane has been the backbone of the first line fighter fleet for nearly 60 years. The plane has been suitably upgraded at frequent intervals and now the most advanced version the MIG 21( BIS) is in service and will be phased out only by 2024-25.  The latest MIGs have advanced avionics and Radar as well as greater endurance. The Russians have faithfully kept their part of the bargain and given their latest technology.

The success of the plane and easy access to Russian technology  at a cheaper price and against Rupee payment spurred the air force to go in for more Russian aircraft. At that time after the 1962 India- China war there was a need for a transport plane to be able to land with cargo at the high landing fields like Leh. The USA again refused as the Pakistan government of General Ayub Khan  protested. India again turned to the Soviet Union and was able to get the AN -12. This was a sturdy plane and could ferry troops as well as a Tank  and land all over India including LEH. The AN -12 was followed by the AN-32, which is still in service as the AN -12 has been phased out after 40 years.

The Russians also gave India the " Big Bird", the massive IL-76 that can carry 45 tonnes of freight or military hardware or 350 fully armed para troopers. These planes were used by the IAF to ferry troops to the Maldives to help the government there in 1987. The transport fleet was thus completely Russian.

On the fighter front the upgraded MIG 23 and 27, the terror of the Western Air Forces were inducted into the IAF. In addition the SU-7 and SU-9 ground attack aircraft were also added to the IAF arsenal. The stress now was only on Russian aircraft and the entire fighter bomber fleet was equipped with Russian aircraft.  The Navy also began to use the TU-114, long range Maritime patrol aircraft with a range of 6000 miles.

The IAF also went in for Russian helicopters and the MI 15, 17 and later the Helli-gunship the MI-35 ( seen in the movie Rambo) were added to the IAF fleet. These helicopters gave the IAF a high degree of mobility and stood India in good  stead when the India army launched a heli borne troop landing for storming Dhaka in 1971.

Along with the aircraft the Russians also gave India the latest support facilities to service these planes. The total dependence on Russia irked the USA, which keeping the new geo- political scenario  decided to have a strategic shift and accommodate India.

However the earlier modernization of the IAF was entirely die to the effort of Krishna Menon and he deserves a lot of credit for it.

The Strategic Shift Now

The break up of the Soviet Union was a blow as it left the USA as the single most powerful nation on this globe. The Russians having broken into 18 states were now only a shadow of their older state. The Indian government was looking for alternatives and with Uncle Sam willing the Indian political leadership decided to placate the USA. This became more pronounced when The Modi government of the BJP took over. An attempt was made to cozy up to the USA and for the first time after 65 years an American transport plane was inducted into the IAF, the Star lifter.  The Russians had an equivalent plane but the Indian government thought it better to  to have the American plane against hard  cash.

Obviously this is not liked by the Russians and India has also cold shouldered the Russian fighter jet the SU- 35 and gone in for a French Plane the Rafael, which is both costly to maintain and is also double the cost of the Russian plane. These steps are difficult to fathom as Russian aircraft have stood India in good stead during many wars and  going overboard to the west  can be a disaster.

The west and the USA still molly coddle to Pakistan and one is wondering what Modi and party are planning. The Russia president cut short his last visit to India by one day and that is an ominous sign. There is no doubt that when the chips were down , the Russian stood by India. As things stand the 5th generation fighter interceptor to be jointly developed by India and Russia  is in limbo and that is again not a good sign.

Presently the IAF has still a fleet that is composed of 80 % Russian aircraft and the Russians are allowing up-gradation of the aircraft factories. One hopes this strategic partnership does not end as the West has proved time and again as unreliable partners of India.