Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh’s complaints about the TEJAS fighter project stem from major setbacks and operational difficulties that affect India’s defense capability. The following are the main arguments in support of his worries:
The first 40 TEJAS fighter jets were bought in 2010 and have not yet been delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF is experiencing operational shortages as a result of the whole batch still not being received, even though initial deliveries began in 2016. Given that these planes are crucial to preserving India’s air superiority in the face of growing threats from enemies like China and Pakistan, this delay is especially concerning.
China’s rapid military aviation improvements, notably the recent testing of sixth-generation stealth fighters, underscore the significance of Singh’s comments. This demonstrates the widening technological divide between India and its northern neighbor, which has already produced a number of sophisticated fighter jet models, including the J-20 and J-35. Only 31 squadrons make up the IAF’s current fleet, which is far less than the 42.5 authorized squadrons required to properly fight possible threats.
Singh underlined that “technology delayed is technology denied,” pointing out that national security initiatives are hampered by R&D delays. He emphasized the necessity for quick action to address these problems and contended that R&D becomes irrelevant if it is unable to satisfy operational timelines. In addition to impeding the introduction of contemporary aircraft, the continuous delays have an impact on upcoming programs like as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is still years away from production.
Singh advocated for increased cooperation with private companies in defense manufacture to speed up production and improve capabilities. He pointed out that in order to boost output speed, existing production agencies need to upskill their employees and invest in advanced manufacturing techniques. This plan is essential for attaining defense self-reliance and guaranteeing the timely delivery of vital aircraft.
Argentina, the Philippines, Nigeria, Botswana, and Egypt are among the nations to which India is aggressively seeking to export its domestically produced TEJAS Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Despite fierce competition in the international market, the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is spearheading these efforts and is engaged in continuous negotiations to secure contracts.
HAL is negotiating with six countries, concentrating on Nigeria, the Philippines, and Argentina. Botswana and Egypt have also indicated interest in purchasing the TEJAS planes.
Getting a solid agreement has been challenging. For example, Malaysia has decided to choose the FA-50 from South Korea instead of the TEJAS for its air force requirements. Argentina has also expressed concerns about parts of the aircraft that are of UK origin.
There is still considerable doubt about HAL’s capacity to fulfill prospective export orders. Concerns regarding HAL’s production capability persist despite India’s goal to increase defense exports to $25 billion in the upcoming years. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already placed significant domestic orders for the TEJAS, making it more difficult for HAL to concurrently fulfill overseas contracts.
But according to defense analysts, HAL should first serve the home market, meet its delivery commitments, and then consider exporting TEJAS aircraft once India’s defense needs have been met.
