Can India Keep Up? IAF Chief Stresses Need for 30-40 Jets Per Year

The Indian Air Force (IAF) finds itself at a critical juncture as it works to upgrade its fleet while supporting India’s goal of developing its own fighter jets. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh recently highlighted the challenging decision between choosing high-performing foreign aircraft and prioritizing Indian-made jets. While he supports self-reliance in defense, he also raised concerns about delays caused by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), questioning whether the domestic aerospace sector can meet the IAF’s needs on time.

### Indigenous Jets: Advantages and Trade-offs

The IAF has consistently backed the expansion of India’s defense industry. Using locally built fighter jets ensures a steady supply during prolonged conflicts and reduces dependency on foreign suppliers. Aircraft like the Tejas Mk1A offer advantages such as lower maintenance costs and easier technology transfer. However, selecting indigenous jets also presents challenges. Speaking at the Chanakya Dialogues conclave on Bharat 2047: Atmanirbhar in War, the IAF chief highlighted the struggle to maintain national security while ensuring combat efficiency.

### HAL’s Delays and Their Impact

The IAF’s transition to an indigenous fleet heavily relies on HAL’s efficiency. However, Air Chief Marshal Singh has expressed dissatisfaction with HAL’s slow production pace. At Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, he criticized HAL for delays in delivering the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets ordered in 2021. His remarks on HAL’s ‘ho jayega’ (it will happen) attitude reflect growing frustration within the armed forces over the sluggish progress.

Delays in Tejas Mk1A production have affected the IAF’s squadron strength. With the required squadron strength of 42 yet to be achieved, the slow pace of deliveries forces the IAF to continue using older aircraft, some beyond their optimal lifespan. Fighter jets require regular upgrades and maintenance, and any delay in replacing outdated models adds pressure on operational readiness. The concern remains whether HAL can deliver its commitments without compromising India’s defense preparedness.

### The Need to Boost Production

For India to achieve true self-reliance in defense aviation, its aircraft production must expand significantly. The IAF chief stressed the need to manufacture 35 to 40 military aircraft annually, underscoring the urgency of scaling up output. However, HAL’s limited production capacity, supply chain bottlenecks, and inefficiencies continue to slow down deliveries. The Tejas Mk1A production is further hindered by global supply chain disruptions, particularly in sourcing engines from General Electric (GE).

To meet these ambitious targets, India must not only improve HAL’s efficiency but also involve private sector players. Strategic analysts suggest that competition within the defense industry could drive efficiency and innovation. While private firms have started bidding for defense contracts, HAL remains the primary manufacturer, continuing to face criticism for its slow execution.

### Learning from Global Models

Major military powers have successfully balanced indigenous production with operational effectiveness. The United States, for example, has a strong domestic defense industry supported by government-funded research, private-sector competition, and strict accountability mechanisms that ensure timely and high-quality production. Similarly, China has rapidly expanded its domestic fighter jet programs by streamlining production and heavily investing in research and development.

In contrast, India still faces bureaucratic hurdles in defense manufacturing. HAL’s reliance on foreign components and repeated production delays highlight the gaps in India’s self-reliance efforts. Unless these structural inefficiencies are resolved, the push for indigenous manufacturing may weaken rather than strengthen the IAF’s operational readiness.

### Bridging the Gap Between Vision and Reality

The IAF’s preference for indigenous fighter jets is based on a long-term vision of strategic autonomy. However, for this vision to become reality without compromising air power, HAL and other defense manufacturers must enhance their production efficiency. Accountability, efficiency, and strict timelines must become non-negotiable aspects of India’s defense industry.

The IAF faces a tough choice between supporting homegrown jets and ensuring combat superiority. While self-reliance in defense is necessary, it cannot come at the cost of national security. The IAF chief’s concerns over HAL’s delays highlight the urgent need for reforms in India’s defense production ecosystem. Without addressing inefficiencies, improving manufacturing capacity, and ensuring timely deliveries, the dream of an entirely indigenous fighter fleet may remain unfulfilled.