IAF Chief Amar Preet Singh highlights fighter squadron shortages and modernization needs

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said on Saturday the delay in the induction of fighter jets is “hurting us as our (squadron) numbers have gone down especially after the phase-out of MiG-21s. .., and we need to plug this gap by adding 36-40 aircraft annually” for the next few years.

However, the IAF chief made it clear that “we have less numbers, but we are not weak.” Addressing his last press conference as IAF chief, ACM Singh, who is scheduled to superannuate on Oct 31, said, “It happens that you plan something, but things get delayed. But this time, the delay has been long. I reiterate what I said earlier, ‘technology delayed is technology denied’.

The IAF’s fighter squadrons have depleted to an alarming 29 from an ideal 42.5. He said that keeping the challenging situation for the country, the IAF actually needs more than 42 squadrons.

About the proposed induction of jets, the IAF chief said, “We are also looking towards multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), LCA MK1A and proposed Mark-2. All these will be able to fill the gaps that exist now and in future (as some more fighters will be phased out). Also, we have 5th-generation fighter jet programme AMCA, we have to see how it progresses... We are giving our full support.. If there are delays in it, we have to make some other decisions,” Singh said.

On the proposed deal of 114 Rafale jets with France, IAF chief said the multirole fighter aircraft contract is likely to be signed by this financial year. He said Russia has offered India Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets but no decision has been made on it.

Singh said reports of Pakistan acquiring Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighters and training its pilots in China are a “cause for worry”. Pakistan is reportedly set to acquire up to 40 Chinese J-35A stealth fighter jets, marking China's first-ever export of a fifth-generation combat aircraft. He said Pakistan failed to do much in Operation Sindoor despite having various platforms as their integration was not done. This proves that integration of various platforms matters the most, he said.

On modernisation of the IAF, he said the force has to be augmented through artificial intelligence. "We have to have an AI-augmented force," he said.

About the make-in-India initiative, the IAF chief, ahead of 94th Air Force Day, said, “Atmanirbharta is a necessity. But we can’t have atmanirbharata at the cost of our defence preparedness. Atmanirbharata can’t happen overnight. The whole ecosystem has to be created. If I am asked whether we are moving in the right direction, yes we are. But I am not the right person to ask whether it is moving at the right pace.”

Talking about theatrisation, he said, “IAF is not against theatre commands. But we have a new situation after Op Sindoor and we should look at all aspects before taking the final decision.”

Singh ruled out creating a separate drone force, saying unmanned systems and loitering munitions should remain integrated with the IAF’s existing weapons and platforms. He described drones as an “evolutionary” capability for the force and said their numbers, types and operational use are being expanded.

“Military power becomes the ultimate, and without adequate military power, any state remains vulnerable to coercion, and if we have to do things our way, if we have to follow the path that we want to follow, we have to have a strong military.

“And when we talk about a strong military, in the recent conflicts we have seen that it is the air power which has come to the fore, which has come out as the cutting edge of military power, and it is one instrument on which any nation relies to meet its objectives,” he said.

“Whether we look at defence transactions worldwide and strategic conversations that are taking place — whether it is advanced fighter aircraft, long-range precision weapons, integrated air command and control, or unmanned aerial systems — it is all very clear that they all reflect that military power is concentrated around the aerospace domain," the IAF chief.

Singh credits the entire force for its recent achievements. “No individual is bigger than the institution.” However, he said he is ready to take a blame personally for any shortcomings as the head of the organisation.

The IAF chief praised Indian pilot Smit Machchhar who recently saved the lives of 174 passengers despite being stabbed by his co-pilot in the flydubai incident. “What our Indian pilot has done is exceptionally great. He showed presence of mind, physical resolve, and mental resolve. It is also a lesson for us,” he said.