IAF Chief Flags Tejas Delay: '40 Fighters A Year Needed To Reverse Squadron Decline'

By NDTV Profit

Community Score: 50% | 3.9K views | 1w

0 community ratings: null thumbs up, null thumbs down

IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has said contractual penalties apply when aircraft deliveries are delayed, responding to a question on the delayed Tejas programme. Singh also underlined the scale of the Indian Air Force’s fighter shortage, saying the force needs to induct roughly 36–40 aircraft every year — equivalent to almost two fighter squadrons — to stop the decline in strength and begin moving towards its sanctioned target. He said HAL is discussing production of more than 20 Tejas aircraft annually, while additional inductions could come through the MRFA programme and the Su-30 order if the programmes progress as planned. The IAF chief also spoke about the changing nature of warfare, including long-range combat, drones and space warfare. He said the Air Force is working on space situational awareness, communications, ISR capabilities and technologies related to the possible weaponisation of space. Watch Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s remarks on Tejas delays, fighter squad

Tags: AP Singh, IAF Chief AP Singh, Tejas delay, Tejas Mk1A delay, HAL Tejas, Tejas penalty, HAL penalty, Indian Air Force fighter shortage, IAF squadron shortage, India needs 40 fighter jets, IAF 40 aircraft per year, 36 to 40 fighter aircraft, Tejas Mk1A, HAL production, Tejas engines, GE F404 engines, MRFA India, MRFA fighter deal, Su30MKI, Indian fighter jets