In an interview with India Today, Amar Preet Singh, the Indian Army Chief and Air Chief Marshal, expressed his anguish over the Indian Air Force’s significant issues and limitations. This interview demonstrates the urgency of the Indian Air Force’s need for modern technological aircraft.
Growing Concerns Over the IAF’s Capabilities and Modernization Delays
The Indian military and civilian leadership supported the IAF’s forecast for the need for 42 Air Force squadrons in 2014 for the implementation of the Cold Start Doctrine against the western neighbor and discussed the possibility of a two-front war with the country’s regional arch-rivals, China and Pakistan. However, with the retirement of the outdated fleet, the number of the IAF’s active squadrons was reduced to merely 32, as per the India Today news. Reports suggest that this number is projected to decrease further to 25–26 squadrons by 2030, jeopardizing the security and sovereignty of the country.
HAL’s Shortcomings and the Stalled Indigenization Drive
To address this shortfall, it was decided that HAL would systematically tackle the possible deficiencies by indigenously building 6 squadrons of Tejas/LCA (MK-1, MK-1A, and MK-2) alongside the acquisitions of 126 Rafale Fighter jets. However, the HAL failed to rationalize this plan despite huge financial, human resources, and technological investments, made in the past few decades. The IAF Chief expressed disappointment over HAL’s slow progress and the political leadership’s failure to prioritize the modernization of the Air Force.
There seems a general discomfort among the decision-makers of the IAF that this severe shortage of aircraft may compromise their long-drawn plan of indigenization of the Indian Air Force. The IAF fleet is behind its regional rivals, who are also nuclear-equipped, not only quantitatively but also qualitatively. Pakistan and China possess more advanced and lethal aerial weapons than India, jeopardizing its security. Both nations are actively collaborating on the modernization of their air forces. Pakistan has sought and coproduced 5th generation aircraft with China’s assistance. While the latter already possesses 6th-generation aircraft. On the other hand, the Indian Air Force’s current fleet is facing numerous shortcomings, like a lack of diversity and aging squadrons. IAF’s best fleet comprises the French-built Rafale aircraft, which can only be defined as a 4.5-generation aircraft at its best.
When asked about the air power of India’s regional rivals, the Indian Air Chief Marshal emphasized that the IAF would leverage strategic and tactical measures to confront technologically and numerically superior adversaries. However, experts hold that upgrading the Indian aerial fleet is mandatory for the country to ensure its safety and sovereignty. Otherwise, India’s regional rivals can subdue its air force.
Strategic Dilemma: Russia’s Offer vs. U.S. Partnership
Recently, Russia and the United States have offered India to buy Su-57 and F-35 aircraft respectively. Russia provided a more appealing and lucrative offer to the Indian government. Su-57, Russia’s state-of-the-art fifth-generation aircraft, can fulfill the current needs and requirements of the Indian Air Force. In an intriguing offer, Rosoboronexport, the arms exporter of the Russian state, has offered the joint production of the Su-57 aircraft, along with the provision of ready-made aircraft.
Denis Alipov, the Russian Ambassador to India states, “We are offering our own fifth generation fighter. We have the best machine, the Sukhoi-57. We just showed it, displayed it at Aero India last month in Bangalore. It is very competitive,” the ambassador stated. “We are offering not only to sell but to co-produce. We offer technology sharing. We offer the industry the creation of necessary industrial facilities for production. We are open to configuration changes. So this is a very lucrative deal that we offer to India.” This aligns with the Indian ambition of local manufacturing.
On the other hand, US President Donald Trump offered Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the latter’s recent visit to Washington, to buy F-35 aircraft. However, the US government is not open to sharing the technology of the F-35 with India. It only offers the provision of ready-made aircraft. Moreover, many US officials have criticized the F-35 due to its technological shortcomings and limitations. However, the Indian government seems reluctant to make a timely decision. Russia is one of India’s oldest allies, while the US is also providing military and financial assistance to counter China. This puts the Indian government in a difficult position, as it does not want to lose either of them as its ally.
However, the frustration of the Indian ACM Amar Preet Singh illustrates the urgency of acquiring new aircraft for the Indian Air Force. It is imperative that the Modi government takes a well-considered and prompt decision, as Russia’s proposal for technology transfer and joint production of the Su-57 could significantly advance India’s goal of indigenous fighter jet capability. Therefore, it is in the interest of the Indian government and air force to buy Russian aircraft. The Indian government can maintain and balance its relations with the United States through diplomatic efforts.
Abbas Hashemite – is a political observer and research analyst for regional and global geopolitical issues. He is currently working as an independent researcher and journalist
