₹1.1 Lakh Crore, 180 Tejas Jets, ZERO Delivered | Why IAF Chief Is Worried About India’s Fighter Gap

By NDTV Profit

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India has committed more than ₹1.1 lakh crore for 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets — but as of October 2026, not one has been formally delivered to the Indian Air Force. In his final annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh warned that delays in fighter induction are beginning to hurt the IAF. With fighter squadron strength down to around 29 against an authorised level of roughly 42, the Air Force needs around 36–40 new fighters every year to begin reversing the decline. This explainer looks at the Tejas Mk-1A delays, Tejas Mk-2, the proposed 114-fighter MRFA programme, AMCA, the Russian Su-57 offer, China's and Pakistan's growing capabilities, India's fighter-engine challenge, AI, drones and theatreisation and asks the central question: where will India's next generation of fighter aircraft actually come from? #Tejas #IndianAirForce #APSingh #IAF #Defence #AMCA #Rafale #HAL #IndiaDefence For more videos subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube

Tags: Tejas Mk 1A, Tejas Mk-1A delay, Indian Air Force, IAF fighter shortage, AP Singh, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Tejas delivery delay, HAL Tejas, HAL, GE Aerospace, Tejas Mk2, AMCA, MRFA, Rafale India, India Rafale deal, Su-57 India, India fighter jets, IAF squadrons, India China air force, Pakistan fifth generation fighter