Archive · 3 Oct 2026
IAF Chief Urges Fewer Projects and Faster Fighter Deliveries
India’s Air Force needs new fighter planes, but some projects are taking a long time.
Its chief, A.P. Singh, said delays make it harder for the Air Force to do its job.
He said too many projects can make teams divide their time and resources.
He wants important projects to have clearer priorities and faster delivery plans.
Singh said India should keep working on its own aircraft, including Tejas and the AMCA.
If the AMCA is delayed, the Air Force may look at other aircraft, but it has not chosen one.
The Air Force needs about 36 to 40 new fighters each year just to stop its fleet from shrinking.
Singh also said military leaders should review plans for theatre commands in light of lessons from Operation Sindoor.
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said delays in defence programmes are hurting the Indian Air Force’s capabilities.
He called for fewer programmes to run at once, clearer priorities and tighter delivery schedules so teams and resources are not spread too thin.
Singh said the IAF supports indigenous programmes, including Tejas variants and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, but acknowledged they will take time to mature.
If the AMCA or other programmes are delayed, the IAF may examine alternative platforms; Singh said no particular foreign aircraft has been selected.
He said the IAF needs about 36–40 fighter aircraft inducted annually to prevent its squadron strength from declining, and called for theatre-command plans to be reviewed using lessons from Operation Sindoor.
- Who
- Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh.
- What
- Singh called for fewer defence programmes to run concurrently, clearer priorities and faster fighter deliveries; he also said theatre-command plans should be reviewed.
- When
- At his annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8; the articles say he was due to retire at the end of that month.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- He said delays and divided resources affect the IAF’s capabilities and contribute to gaps in its fighter fleet.
- Annual fighter requirement
- About 36–40 aircraft must be inducted each year to prevent the IAF’s squadron strength from declining.
- Programmes discussed
- Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).
- Production figures mentioned
- Tejas: 24 aircraft per year; MRFA: 12 per year; the article also refers to 12 additional Sukhois.
- Possible alternative
- Singh said the IAF may examine another platform if the AMCA is delayed, but no specific alternative has been chosen.
- Potential foreign aircraft
- Russia has offered the Su-57; Singh did not commit the IAF to it.
- Theatre commands
- Singh said the structure should be reconsidered in light of operational experience from Operation Sindoor.
- Singh’s retirement
- The articles said he was due to superannuate at the end of the month.
