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IAF Chief Seeks Faster Modernization Amid Aircraft Delivery Delays
The Indian Air Force chief said the force is improving, but it needs to move faster.
Some new fighter planes called LCA Mk-1A have not arrived as planned.
The Air Force is talking with the company making them about the delays.
The chief said he hopes a reasonable number of planes will arrive this financial year.
The Air Force also wants other aircraft and equipment, though some purchase agreements may take more time.
He said the force needs better drones and technology for space and cyberspace.
He also said firefighters at Air Force sites need better training and equipment.
The Air Force plans to use fire simulations and robots to help with that work.
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said the Indian Air Force is moving in the right direction but needs to progress faster.
He said delivery of the 180 contracted LCA Mk-1A aircraft has been delayed and the IAF is engaging with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Singh expressed confidence that the IAF would receive a reasonable number of aircraft during the financial year, citing the defence secretary’s remarks.
The IAF supports the LCA Mk-2, AMCA, 114 Rafale aircraft and other proposed procurements; some contracts may be signed this financial year or the next.
Singh called for stronger drone, counter-drone, space and cyber capabilities, and said firefighting performance needs improvement.
- Who
- Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh.
- What
- He said the Air Force is progressing in the right direction but should accelerate modernization and capability development.
- Where
- Air Force Auditorium, Subroto Park, New Delhi.
- When
- He spoke on Wednesday, October 7, at an event on the eve of the Indian Air Force's 94th anniversary.
- Why
- He said the force needs to bolster capabilities amid rapidly evolving technology, while facing procurement and development constraints.
Need to accelerate
Constraints and ongoing work
Modernization pace
Need to accelerate
Singh said the IAF is moving in the right direction but could progress faster, with greater capacity, faster induction and more combat mass needed.
Constraints and ongoing work
He acknowledged procedural, procurement and development constraints, and said the IAF is actively engaging with HAL over delayed LCA Mk-1A deliveries.
Firefighting performance
Need to accelerate
Singh said the IAF's performance in responding to fires at installations, aircraft ground runs or accidents has been lacking and can improve.
Constraints and ongoing work
He said the force is planning simulators and fire-fighting robots to support training and operations.
Key facts
- LCA Mk-1A order
- The IAF has a contract for 180 aircraft; none had been supplied to the force at the time of the report.
- First LCA Mk-1A contract
- A 2021 deal with HAL covered 83 aircraft and was valued at Rs 48,000 crore.
- Additional LCA Mk-1A contract
- A later deal covered 97 aircraft and was valued at Rs 62,370 crore.
- Fighter squadrons
- The IAF had 29 fighter squadrons, compared with an officially sanctioned strength of 42.
- C-295 production
- The 17th aircraft, described as the first to be made in India, was in production; minor issues were being resolved.
- Potential procurements
- Singh said contracts for several programmes might be signed in the current or following financial year.
- Firefighting plans
- The IAF plans fire-training simulators and is planning to acquire fire-fighting robots.
Quotes
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh
Chief of the Indian Air Force
“And, I am happy that we are progressing in the right direction, but whether we are progressing at the correct pace or not, is something for everybody to judge. According to me, yes, we can be a little faster than what we are today.”
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Sources
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