The dawning of 2025 has not been bright for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Addressing the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar in New Delhi recently, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh reportedly expressed frustration in scathing remarks at the very slow pace of delivery of the first batch of 40 Tejas aircraft by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), whose manufacturing began in 2016, a rather too long period of eight years for a jet which took first flight in1984. 

"Technology delayed is technology denied”, the IAF chief said and stressed on the need to involve private industry. "Production agencies have to invest in their advanced manufacturing processes so that the speed can increase. Upskilling their manpower and whatever they do, the scale of the production has to go up”.

With China having around 1800 fighter aircraft and Pakistan about 400, India’s tally of approximately 530 combat aircraft amounting to 31 squadrons (each with 16 to 18 aircraft) means that it is woefully short of combat aircraft in view of the threat it faces from its two principal adversaries and two wide borders. In fact, India’s aim of reaching 42 squadrons is still not enough. Considering China’s capacity and modernisation plans, India should really be aiming for 50 squadrons.

Tardy HAL production line

With US-based General Electric (GE) set to provide the F404-IN20 fighter jet engines to power the Tejas aircraft, in 2023 the IAF signed a Rs 36,468-crore deal with the HAL for the production of 83 Tejas Mk1A variants. Later, in November 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council cleared a fresh order of 97 more Tejas fighter jets. This only further underscores the need for HAL to speed up its production rate.

HAL, which was supposed to manufacture 16 Tejas Mk1A jets in 2024-25, will reportedly be able to deliver only two to three aircraft in the current financial year. The delivery of Tejas Mk1A aircraft was delayed owing to the late delivery of F404-IN20 engines by General Electric (GE) Aerospace. After both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh raised this issue, GE Aerospace assured that it will begin supply of F404-IN20 engines by March 2025, two years later than it was scheduled to.

The Air Chief's major concern about delayed delivery of the Tejas is because of China developing "6th Generation" stealth fighter jets, J-20 and J-35, which are reportedly being readied for trials.

Yet another delay is in the prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which was due in 2024-25, but will now be in 2028. According to a report by a news agency, in a review by the IAF and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), it was decided that there should be two development-cum-production partners (DcPPs) — one of the government-most likely HAL - and one private. DRDO will then have to transfer all AMCA related technologies to these partners, who will most likely manufacture the aircraft in separate production lines. And these delays are reportedly owing to difficulties in deciding the production partners for the aircraft and the pending negotiations with the same GE Aerospace to manufacture its GE F-414 engine in India, as the powerpack for about 40 AMCA Mk-1 jets and an entirely new high-thrust engine powering the latest and more advanced jet variant — AMCA Mk-2.

Preparing for Aero India 2025

It is indeed ironic that the current plight of the IAF  was getting highlighted at a time when India is preparing for Aero India 2025. The event is considered as one of the most anticipated aerospace and defence exhibitions in the world. Held biennially in Bengaluru, it showcases the latest advancements in aerospace technology, military air capabilities, and global aviation trends. 

Addressing the Ambassadors’ Roundtable, organised as a prelude to Aero India 2025, in New Delhi on January 10, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended India for holding one of the largest defence industrial ecosystems in Asia and the government’s commitment to further enhancing the capabilities. He said the Indian aerospace and defence sector represents an attractive opportunity for foreign companies seeking to establish new ventures and partnerships.

Noting that the aerospace sector will be a major contributor towards achieving India's goal to become a developed nation by 2047, Air Chief Marshal Singh said during the Subroto Mukherjee Seminar that the country needs to be "powerful enough to be able to deter our adversaries so that we can concentrate on our progress and growth". Underlining the need to achieve 'Atmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in the defence sector, he said, "We need to identify how do we get on to that 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) track. We all understand that 'Atmanirbharta' cannot be achieved overnight ....it is a slow process, it is a painful process…….But are we in mission mode towards it... I don't see that energy," he lamented.

(The author, a strategic affairs analyst, is a former  spokesperson, Defence Ministry and Indian Army. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at wordsword02@gmail.com)