Thread by @AnchitGupta9

AD thread 2: Immediately post the 1962 war, changes were made across three vectors – AD Command & Control structure, modern equipment from America & USSR and a Surface to Air missile defence system (SA-2). #IAFHistory (26/41)

https://twitter.com/anchitgupta9/status/1511888287048249344

IAF setup “Air Defence Area” HQs at Ambala, Jodhpur & Barrackpore headed by Air Cmde’s, responsible for all AD in the Area. In 1966, these were renamed as Air Defence Control Centre (ADCC) & co-located with Cmd HQ. These days the org is led by an AVM designated as AD Cdr. 27/

“Ex – Shiksha” was conducted in Nov 63. RAF sent Javelins, RAAF Canberras & USAF F-100s & two mobile radar units having MPS 11/ 16 radars. Javelins were deployed at Kalaikunda, Canberras at Agra, F-100s at Palam & the radar units (named 311 & 411 SUs) at Patiala and Rampurhat 28/

The performance of IAF pilots & controllers was appreciated. Best interceptions were done by “Charlie” Puranik from 411 SU. 6 x American Star Sapphire units (500 SU series) with FPS 89 & 100 radars & 12 x P-30 units (200 SU series) were approved for induction. 29/

FPS 100 was a 2-D Surveillance Radar & FPS-89 a Ht Finding Radar. These were huge and radomed.(Pak had its fore-runner version- FPS 20 & FPS 6). Originally, the installation was overseen by the engineers of Bendix Radio Corporation. US Assistance was withdrawn in Sep 65. 30/

Since only two SUs had been installed, No. 1 Electronic Engineering and Installation Unit (EE&IU) was raised for completing this task. The tech officers assigned to the task performed admirably. Much later the unit was renamed as 17 SU. 31/

Locations of Star Sapphire units were planned to counter both Pak & China. As per the US concept, complete works services for technical; admin and domestic accommodation were carried out simultaneously at each location to make the units self-sufficient in all respects. 32/

IAF switched over to the American terminology. SOC was renamed as Air Defence Direction Centre (ADDC), Controllers were now Directors, Chief Controller was Sector Director and so on.Trades of Rad/Opr and Ftr/Pltr were merged and renamed as ADSO. 33/

Plotting & display of info was done on big Perspex Vertical Plotting Boards. Brightly lit Ops rooms, were now dimly lit. Indep troposcatter com network was planned to reduce dependence on P&T lines. Rdr & Comm Project Office (RCPO) and Dte of Plan ADGES were created at AirHQ 34/

USSR agreed to provide SA-2 surface to missiles for 17 firing, 4 tech & one trg battalion. These were deployed - 5 in Chandigarh-Ambala, 6 at Calcutta, 6 at Delhi & one trg and support at Baroda. Eqpt arrived by Apr 64 and by Oct 65, USSR had delivered 144 SA-2 missiles. 35/

SA-2 purchase from USSR was not taken well by the USA. In now declassified CIA files, they tracked the move of the SA-2 systems as they left USSR & were installed in India. Soon after, USA left IAF in sep65 with only two radars installed, leaving us to deal with the rest. 36/

The SA-2 system had a V-750 missile and two-stage propellants. The control surfaces on the two fins were guided by radio command. The target was tracked by radar which fed a signal to a computer. It was designed to engage targets between the ranges of 7-40 km. 37/

Subsequent shipments after the 1965 conflict boosted the strength by an addl 8 sqns, to 48 launchers and 75 missiles, all of which were delivered between 1968-72. 34 Sqn became the first Trg sqn and 46 Sqn, commanded by ML Sethi (later Air Mshl) was the first combat sqn. 38/

SA-2 were organised as clusters. 6 SAM “Wings” were formed with sites around the wing in a 50km radius. The philosophy had remained the same – in addition to eyes, have missile protection for key cities & installations. 24 and 31 wings were disbanded in 1992, the rest remain. 39/

ML Sethi was a pioneer. He was amongst the first batch of Air Force personnel to be trained on a SAM system. As Officer Commanding of an operational SAM squadron , undeterred by hardships, he achieved the distinction of the first SAM unit in IAF to become operational. 40/

Having covered the birth of AD in India & the multi-spectral sweeping changes made in the 1960s, the next thread will focus on the “rubber hitting the road” – how the AD setup fared in the 1965 and 71 wars 41/41