IAF May Look Abroad If AMCA Faces More Delays: Air Chief

Addressing the annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, Air Chief Marshal Singh said the force needed to induct 36 to 40 fighter aircraft every year to address the shortage in squadron strength. He said delays in the induction of Tejas Mk-1A fighters were “hurting” the IAF as its fighter numbers continued to decline.

The IAF currently has around 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42 following the retirement of the MiG-21 fleet.

Singh said he hoped the IAF would eventually receive 24 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft annually from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), along with about 12 aircraft a year under the proposed procurement of 114 Rafale fighters, helping bridge the shortfall.

He said negotiations were under way on the proposal to procure 114 Rafale fighters from France and that the deal could be concluded during the current financial year if things proceeded as planned.

The Air Chief said the delay in deliveries of the Tejas Mk-1A had been longer than expected.

Asked whether HAL would face penalties over the delay, Singh said delays could occur in defence programmes, but acknowledged that the present delay had been significant.

“It happens that you plan something, but things get delayed. But this time, the delay has been much,” he said.

In February 2021, the defence ministry signed a contract with HAL for 83 Tejas aircraft worth close to ₹48,000 crore. Deliveries were originally scheduled to begin in 2024, but the Mk-1A programme has faced delays.

Singh said reports suggested that Pakistan could acquire fifth-generation aircraft from China in the near future.

“There are even reports that their pilots are already undergoing training in China. Undoubtedly, this is a cause for concern,” he said.

“We must prioritise the early induction of an aircraft of this generation. We need to push the AMCA programme forward; if there are delays, we must make alternative decisions,” he said.

Singh said Russia had offered the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter, but no decision had been taken on the proposal.

He, however, said India possessed the capabilities needed to counter the threat posed by fifth-generation aircraft.

“We possess the necessary capabilities. After all, it is not just about a single platform, but how that platform is integrated into the entire system,” he said.

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Singh said Pakistan had possessed advanced platforms earlier as well, but argued that their effectiveness depended on how well they were integrated with other systems.

On the possibility of creating a separate drone force, Singh said drones were “evolutionary” rather than “revolutionary” for the IAF.

“We are growing the number of drones and loitering munitions. Whether we need a separate drone force, I don’t think so. They should be part of the same setup, and we have to operate together,” he said.

Responding to a question on the proposed theatre commands, Singh indicated that the structure was being reassessed in the light of lessons from Operation Sindoor.

“We have a new situation which we saw after Operation Sindoor. We were discussing this before that; post-Operation Sindoor, discussions had to be taken in a slightly different direction because we now have some first-hand experience,” he said.

Singh said the new military leadership would have to examine not only the structure of the proposed commands but also the sequence and manner in which they should be implemented before recommendations were placed before the government.

The Air Chief also praised Captain Smit Machchhar for his actions aboard a flydubai flight this week.

“Every Indian is proud of him. What he did was exceptionally brave. He showed great physical and mental resolve,” Singh said. Machchhar has drawn widespread praise after helping avert a potential disaster aboard the flight.