New Delhi, Oct 3 (NVI) Facing shortages, the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs 36-40 new fighter aircraft per year and may consider alternative avenues if the country’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter projects like Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are delayed, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said today.
He said the replenishment is necessary to stop IAF squadron strength from falling.
Addressing the annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, he warned that delays in aircraft development and production directly hurt operational capability.
“Technology delayed is technology denied,” he said.
The IAF chief outlined programmes to address the shortfall, including the Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, the proposed procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s fifth-generation fighter project.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is looking at producing more than 24 fighter aircraft per year, he said.
Tejas production, an MRFA contract and additional aircraft orders could help meet the annual requirement if the programmes proceed as planned.
The IAF might have to consider alternative fighter platforms if the AMCA or other programmes were delayed, Singh said.
He added that no decision had been taken on Russia’s offer of the Su-57.
On theatre commands, Singh said the IAF was not opposed to their creation, but their structure and implementation needed careful examination.
He said experience from ‘Operation Sindoor’ had changed the direction of discussions.
With a revamped Chiefs of Staff Committee in place, the military would examine the proposed structure afresh, including whether to implement it in one go or in stages.
“The military will present the options to the government,” Singh said.
He also described cooperation between Pakistan and China on fifth generaion fighters as a “cause of concern”.
However, he said Pakistan had not realised the full potential of its platforms because of gaps in their integration with its wider combat system.
An aircraft’s effectiveness depends on how well it works within the broader combat network, he said. (NVI)
