Yet to receive the first batch of 40 aircraft ordered in 2010: IAF Chief

New Delhi: Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, has raised serious concerns over ‘inordinate’ delays in the delivery of the Tejas fighter aircraft into service.

The CAS emphasized that the first batch of 40 aircraft ordered in 2009-2010 was yet to be fully delivered. He also raised concerns about China’s rapid pace of air force modernisation.

Speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukerjee Seminar, Singh stressed that production must be ramped up as India’s adversaries, particularly China, are “investing heavily in its air force”.

The Air Chief Marshal’s remarks follow China’s recent testing of two mysterious aircraft, widely believed to be sixth-generation stealth combat jets—a milestone yet to be achieved by any other nation.

“We should go back to 1984, when we conceived that aircraft. The first aircraft flew in 2001, 17 years later. The induction started another 15 years later, in 2016. Today, we are in 2024. I do not have the first 40 aircraft also, so this is the production capability,” the IAF chief reportedly said, emphasising that “technology delayed is technology denied".

These comments also come amid reports from December indicating that Pakistan may procure fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from China, with deliveries expected within the next two years.

Emphasising the need for production agencies to adopt advanced manufacturing processes, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the importance of involving private players. “I am very convinced that we need to get some private players in. We need to have competition. We need to have multiple sources available so that people are wary of losing their orders,” he reportedly stated, adding, “Otherwise, things will not change.”

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