As the Indian Air Force celebrates its 77th anniversary, we decided that the special issue in your hands should be more about the air force of today rather than where it hopes to be. Another issue, we reckoned that gets downplayed is the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s role in shaping the IAF. For this reason, we requested the recently retired chief of air staff, Air Chief Marshal F.H. Major, who is FORCE’s aerospace editor, to write the opening cover spread for this issue. In a brief, lucid commentary, he talks about the challenges facing the IAF, how these can be converted into opportunities, and the mechanism to do so. There is plenty to be read between the lines as there is in the lines he has penned for FORCE. We also bring you perspectives of two former service chiefs, both distinguished aviators, on the IAF. Admiral Arun Prakash writes about the opportunities for the IAF and the defence industry that the MMRCA competition has thrown up, and Air Chief Marshal S. Krishnaswamy comments on the range of technologies available to the IAF to transform itself into a balanced force. We noticed that there are shades of criticism for HAL in their pieces. This was probably justified earlier, but as the IAF is transforming itself, so is HAL in more ways than one.

FORCE is thankful to Chairman, HAL for allowing us the exclusive visit to HAL division in Nasik where the IAF’s frontline Su-30MKI aircraft is being produced. As they say, seeing is believing, HAL today is completely manufacturing the 4th generation plus aircraft. This is something HAL has never done before, and this could be the major reason for the slippages in most HAL projects done from scratch. Once HAL gains more experience in making complete aircraft, it would be transformed into a different league. This is not all. The Su-30MKI project has generated enormous outsourcing opportunity for the Indian defence industry, and as HAL officials told FORCE, India need not contract Russia for Su-30MKI spares raw material as it would be available within the country.

This issue carries a comprehensive report on the AESA radar available in the six competing aircraft for the MMRCA. As the IAF has listed AESA as a must capability in the competition, we hope that the article will interest readers. Another exclusive report in this issue is on AgustaWestland facilities in Italy. FORCE was privileged to be taken to AW manufacturing and training complex. It was both an education in itself as well as the opportunity to understand how indigenous facilities could be improved learning from AW experience. We also bring you a report on the DSEi 2009 Show held in London. As always, it is a show worth visiting, though this time there was a bit of disappointment owing to non-participation by India. In addition, this issue carries the industry news, a perspective on Afghanistan and an update on homeland security. Enjoy the issue!