IAF needs 36-40 jets annually, Pakistan's fifth-gen jet plan a concern : Air Chief

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said on Saturday, October 3, that fighter jet shortages are "hurting" the force. He said the IAF's fleet numbers are steadily declining. He called for the induction of 36-40 jets annually over the next few years to plug the gap.

Singh was speaking ahead of the 94th Air Force Day. He said the IAF needs to add two fighter squadrons every year. This would help arrest the decline from the current 30 squadrons. The target is 42 squadrons, a strength needed to tackle a collusive two-front threat from Pakistan and China. "Going ahead, we need anything between 36-40 jets annually," he said. He added that delays in receiving new aircraft were a growing concern. "It was hurting us... Our numbers are getting reduced," he said.

Singh pointed to delays in Tejas Mark-1A deliveries as a key factor. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was contracted in February 2021 to supply 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets to the IAF. The deal was worth Rs 48,000 crore. HAL has yet to deliver a single aircraft. "There is some extra delay, and there is no doubt that it is going to hurt us," Singh said. He noted HAL's commitment to produce 24 jets next year. He also suggested the IAF look at private sector participation. This, he said, could add 12-18 jets a year.

The IAF chief flagged Pakistan's push toward fifth-generation fighter capability. He noted it is being done in collaboration with China. He called this a matter of concern, though not a major worry. Reports earlier this year said Pakistan's air force had approved the purchase of 40 Chinese J-35 stealth jets. These are expected within two years. The deal would mark China's first export of a fifth-generation fighter to an ally.

Singh said he hoped India's own fifth-generation programme, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), would not be delayed. But he indicated that if it were, the IAF may need to look at a foreign fifth-generation platform instead. He cited Russia's offer of Su-57 jets as one option. No decision has been made on it, he said.

Singh noted that Pakistan has had capable air power before. But he said Operation Sindoor showed that advanced aircraft alone do not decide combat outcomes. Officials have also flagged a second wave of concern from 2029-30 onward. That is when the IAF's ageing Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 fleets are set to be phased out. These number around 250 aircraft and are already on extended life cycles.