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DW
06-06-2025
- Business
- DW
India's air force hampered by aging fleet, delivery delays – DW – 06/06/2025
Chronic delays in defense procurement are frustrating India's efforts to expand its military fleet, with its top air force commander publicly calling out unmet goals and unrealistic timelines. In an unusual public disapproval of India's weapons manufacturing ecosystem, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Amar Preet Singh lamented the delays plaguing the country's defense projects and urged accountability. Speaking at a high-profile industry gathering in the capital New Delhi last week, in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the air chief declared that contract timelines are routinely unrealistic and questioned the fundamental credibility of delivery promises made by public sector defense companies. "Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time," said Singh, referring to the agreed deadlines at the time of contract signing. "Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved?" Singh asked. While pointing to the changing nature and landscape of warfare involving drone technology, the air chief urged timely induction of new technologies into the armed forces. In 2016, India signed a deal with France for 36 Rafale jets Image: DebajyotixChakraborty/NurPhoto/IMAGO India aims to overhaul defense ecosystem For several years, the IAF has faced repeated delays in the delivery of new aircraft, especially the indigenous multirole combat jet Tejas Mk1A. For instance, not a single Tejas Mk1A from the 2021 order has yet been delivered despite repeated assurances of their imminent arrival. Singh's latest comments come on the heels of recent armed clashes between India and Pakistan, where Indian air force employed manned aircraft alongside drones, enabling deeper incursions into Pakistani airspace. The aerial confrontation was in response to a deadly attack by Islamist assailants that killed 26 people, mostly Hindu men, in India-administered Kashmir. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of supporting the attack, a charge Islamabad denies. During the four days of fierce clashes, reports emerged of aircraft losses and integration challenges. Pakistan's defense minister claimed three of India's fighter jets had been shot down during the fighting, though this was not independently verified. India's chief of defense staff told Reuters last week that India suffered losses in the air, but declined to give details. India, Pakistan pull back from brink of war over Kashmir To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Defense analysts say India urgently needs boost aircraft production and its modernization efforts to ensure its air force remains combat-ready. However, India's defense procurement system has been chronically bogged down by a complex, multi-stage procedures, frequent changes in requirements, and prolonged negotiations — often leading to projects taking years longer than initially planned. Plane prototypes arriving too late Tara Kartha, former member of the National Security Council Secretariat, which sits at the apex of India's national security architecture, flagged the slow pace of procurement which impacts the military's operational readiness. "Programs like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Tejas Mk-2 are still in development, with functional prototypes expected by 2028–2029, which are too slow to address immediate needs," Kartha told DW. In her reckoning, the systemic changes envisaged by Prime Minister Narender Modi have not taken off, with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) still unable to deliver projects on time. "It is time the defense services have a separate cadre for procurement and development to optimize efficiency and get away from bottlenecks," Kartha underlined. India looks abroad as Russian jets age out Former Lieutenant General Deependra Singh Hooda, who handled numerous strategic challenges along the borders with both Pakistan and China, points to evolving threats in the region as the reason for urgency in military procurement and modernization. "The air chief is absolutely correct. The fighter aircraft fleet has shrunk significantly due to delays in delivery of indigenous fighters," Hooda told DW. "Some hard decisions now must be taken, including considering foreign buys to ensure that the air force has adequate capability to take on future challenges. Meanwhile, we need to look beyond the public sector units to energize the private sector," he said. Programs like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are too slow to address immediate needs, Kartha said Image: Stringer/REUTERS The IAF currently operates 31 combat squadrons, far below its sanctioned strength of 42. Considering a typical squadron has about 18 to 20 aircraft, the shortfall of 11 squadrons would amount to around 200 fighter jets. This shortfall is due to the retirement of aging aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-23, and MiG-27 in the 2000s and 2010s without adequate replacement. The procurement process for the French-made Rafale multirole fighter aircraft has been relatively faster and smoother compared to many other major defense deals but it has still involved significant timelines and strategic considerations. In 2016, India finally signed a government-to-government deal with France for 36 Rafale jets. Air power proves crucial Former Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar pointed out that the IAF's ability to project power, achieve air dominance, and deliver precision strikes proved to be crucial during the recent fighting with Pakistan. "The events of those 90 hours underscore the pivotal and decisive role of the Indian Air Force. It was the sustained and impactful application of air power, targeting critical enemy infrastructure and capabilities," Nambiar told DW. "While broader geopolitical considerations and actions by other arms of the military played their part, the offensive air campaign was undoubtedly the principal factor that broke the enemy's will to continue the conflict," he added. At the same time, the aerial confrontation has also highlighted the growing influence of Chinese military technology, with Pakistan reportedly using the Chinese-made J-10C fighter jet and PL-15 long-range air-to-air missiles. This deployment has drawn global attention, particularly from the US and Western nations, as it signals China's advancing capabilities in air warfare. Drones and AI: How technology is changing warfare To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Scaling up India's defense manufacturing Konark Rai, managing director of Rudram Dynamics, a defense startup, said the recent clashes were not just a test of India's armed forces but also a stress test for its defense industry. "When a war or national emergency hits and mass production is suddenly required, these firms falter. Not for the lack of effort or innovation, but because the system they operate in does not empower them to scale on demand," Rai told DW. Rai said the time has come for structural reform. "First, the archaic L1 or lowest bidder system and No Cost No Commitment (NCNC) trials must be rethought," said Rai, referring to a process in defense acquisitions where the government neither bears the cost of trials nor commits to buy the product after the trial. While admitting due diligence was necessary, Rai pointed out that staging trials without commitment is extremely risky and expensive HE claims the process discourages companies, especially small and medium ones, from contributing to defense procurement. "A better approach would be for defense forces to proactively scout technologies across the country in collaboration with local colleges, rather than just with the institutions of national importance," he added. Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
India Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Today
After Air chief's rap on delays, HAL set to hand over Tejas Mk-1A this month
Days after Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh voiced concern over repeated delays in defence projects, sources said Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is set to deliver the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet from its Nashik facility by the end of Nashik line is HAL's third Tejas production facility after two existing lines in Bengaluru, and is intended to accelerate the indigenous fighter jet programme that has fallen behind schedule due to multiple in the supply of F404 engines from US-based GE Aerospace have pushed the Tejas Mk-1A programme over a year past its original timeline. The Indian Air Force, which signed a Rs 48,000 crore contract in February 2021 for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets, was originally slated to receive the first aircraft by March 31, 2024. 'The timeline is a big issue,' Air Chief Marshal Singh said last week at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025. 'So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we must look at. Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up, but we just sign the contract.'advertisementSingh's barbed remarks came nearly three months after he publicly rebuked HAL officials over persistent delays in Tejas Mk-1A deliveries. The Air Force has since urged HAL to expedite production and widen its private sector collaboration, particularly for key components like HAL line—Bengaluru and Nashik—has the capacity to produce up to eight aircraft per year, subject to engine flight trials are completed, the first Nashik-built Tejas Mk-1A will be formally handed over to the IAF, marking a key milestone in the indigenous fighter's production Air Force chief has stressed the importance of timely induction of new technologies into the military, especially in the context of rapidly evolving warfare paradigms involving drones and AI-enabled platforms.
Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
India Air Chief's comments on delays in major defence projects call for introspection on issues plaguing manufacturing
Speaking on May 29 at the CII's Annual Business Summit in his first public interaction post-Operation Sindoor, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh made several pertinent points about the Indian defence industry. Pointing at perennial delays in every major defence project, he questioned why those involved in developing military hardware, particularly fighter jets, 'promise something which can't be achieved'. Admitting that, although the Indian Air Force (IAF) had been reliant on imported aerial platforms, 'atmanirbharta' was now an imperative. Pointing at the cruciality of air power in contemporary warfare and expeditionary missions, he called upon the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the private sector to take up the challenge. Quoting Winston Churchill, he asked the private sector '…to do a very special thing…(in what could be) their finest hour', invest at least 10 per cent of earnings in R&D, start designing and developing in India, and importantly, honour the contractual commitments given to the Armed Forces. There are a number of reasons why we have lagged in fielding hi-tech weapon systems. First, modern fighter aircraft are complex platforms and require seamless integration and smooth, synergistic functioning of a number of high-performance, cutting-edge technologies. These include incredibly efficient, strong, lightweight, modern jet engines capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, giving high power, great speed, as well as manoeuvrability. This requires advanced metallurgy (including single crystal technology, which just a few nations possess) and tight advanced manufacturing processes. The aircraft must also incorporate 'stealth' to some extent or the other, meaning it should present as small a radar cross-section as possible. This is achieved through an intricate blend of various materials, shapes, and radar-absorbing technologies. The airframe must be strong, manoeuvrable, yet stable. Its avionics, computing, navigation and flight control systems must maximise assistance to the pilot in his mission, while the systems on board should be fully integrated with the various weapons (missiles, guns, guided bombs, etc) for precision delivery. Thereafter, the entire platform must perform flawlessly in an environment replete with radars and anti-aircraft weapons of diverse types. In sum, the complexity of a modern fighter aircraft cannot be overstated, and its indigenous production is directly contingent not only on the availability of cutting-edge/emergent technologies but also on an advanced military-industrial complex. There are four requisites for developing and/or obtaining cutting-edge, future-ready technologies. First, obtain technology through transfer. No original equipment manufacturer/country will transfer technology in which it invested decades of R&D efforts and tons of money to rectify flaws and to finally derive that refined, efficient military platform unless paid huge offsetting amounts. Yet, rather than start R&D from scratch, some cutting-edge technologies should be bought, imbibed and assimilated internally, and then utilised as a threshold point from where to take off. Second, institutions of higher education that produce innovation as well as cerebral, highly-skilled alumni. For this, these institutions should be liberal and free-thinking, not weighed down by political/religious ideologies, and staffed with good faculty. Speaking at the Delhi School of Economics' Diamond Jubilee in August 2014, Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the IMF, had, inter alia, advised that India's education system must be revamped. Yet, the NEP notwithstanding, our education system and curriculum remain archaic. The National Employability Report Engineers Annual Report 2019 stated that a large percentage of engineers did not possess enough skills to work in IT companies. The government's Economic Survey 2024 opines that only 51.25 per cent of India's graduates are deemed employable, pointing at a wide chasm in skills required for the 21st century. Third, provide adequate R&D funding. In 2023, the US spent approximately $784 billion on R&D, China $723 billion, Japan $184 billion, Germany $132 billion, the UK $88 billion, and India $71 billion. Companies like Huawei of China and Apple of US spend billions of dollars on research. In contrast, most Indian industries, operating on thin margins, are faced with a Hobson's choice of maximising profits, expanding into new fields or investing in R&D. They thus need credible R&D funding from the government. Fourth, an advanced, civil-military industrial base. While India has many islands of tech-industrial excellence, for indigenous production of a system as complex as a fighter aircraft, the derived innovations/technologies need to be further developed and then coalesced within an advanced military-industrial base comprising many disciplines with technological cross-overs within those industries. China's state-supported civil-military integration model merits a study in this regard. The critical role of educational institutions, R&D funding and an advanced industrial base in the development of emergent/future-ready technologies is evident from just two reports. One, the 2021 report by the Office of the US Under Secretary of Defence entitled 'A 21st Century Defence Industrial Strategy for America'. This outlines how the US's edge in innovation and manufacturing has declined since the end of the Cold War on account of decreasing innovation, a decline in educational institutions, a paucity of skilled workers, low R&D investments in high-tech, etc. This tends to validate the claim made to the South China Morning Post in October 2024 by Lu Yongxiang, former vice-chairman of the National People's Congress, former president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of expert advisory board for 'Made in China 2025', that China will overtake the US in hi-tech and advanced military manufacturing within a decade as 'overall, the decline of the US manufacturing industry ….become an irreversible trend.' The second is the July 2023 National Security Scorecard by commercial data company Govini. It evaluated 12 technologies critical to national security and found that in all 12, 'the USA is falling behind China in the core science.' Another reason is that militaries, being large, complex organisations and required to function in high-stakes environments with order, efficiency, and coordination, are often very bureaucratic. This stifles innovation and change by promoting a culture of conformity while emphasising adherence to established norms. General Mark Milley, former Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Eric Schmidt, chairman Special Competitive Studies Project, outline in Foreign Affairs (September/October 2024) 'America isn't Ready for Wars of the Future' because it persists with legacy structures, platforms and doctrines, but has yet to incorporate autonomous weapons, military AI, drones, etc. Nearer home, the US began using armed drones (for example, the Predator, Reaper) from 2002 onwards to kill militants/terrorists in Pakistan's west — yet, it took nearly 18 years, that is, the 2020 Armenia-Azerbaijan war, for us to truly appreciate and situate the role of UCAVs in modern warfare. While DRDO picks up some of the best technical brains from India's universities, merely knowing science doesn't automatically translate into advanced, military sub-systems/systems. To truly understand, develop and manufacture such systems, the DRDO also needs scientifically-qualified military personnel with immense combat experience. In contrast, the Indian Navy's in-house WESEE (Weapons & Electronic Systems Engineering Establishment) has achieved far greater technological success and self-reliance. Perhaps, the IAF too needs to look at a WESEE kind of set-up which cooperates comprehensively with the private sector. Presently, the IAF operates 31 combat squadrons against an authorised strength of 42 squadrons, with the 36 4.5-generation Rafale being the most advanced combat jets in its inventory. The air power deficit stands aggravated by an ageing fleet and delays in key indigenous projects, particularly the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2, at a time when China already has two variants of fifth-generation fighters in service and is trialling two new sixth-generation fighters, and Pakistan is fast-tracking acquisition of 40 Chinese J-35 stealth fighters. Speaking at the same event as the Air Chief, the DRDO chief Samir Kamat stated that the first prototype of India's indigenous, fifth-generation AMCA will be rolled out by late 2029, with five out by 2031. The words of the Air Chief, therefore, merit attention. It remains to be seen how we refine our education system, inspire innovation, and develop a military-industrial base with coherent manufacturing strategies that function under an empowered bureaucracy with de facto policymaking capabilities, but bereft of political meddling. The writer is a retired Brigadier from the Indian Army
News18
30-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Defence Ministry Announces To Reduce Procurement Timelines A Day After IAF Chief Flagged Delays
Last Updated: The Defence Ministry's statement came a day after Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh raised concerns over delays in major defence procurement projects. The Defence Ministry on Friday said that it has slashed the defence procurement timelines by 69 weeks and is transitioning from cost-plus to competitive pricing models in a bid to to accelerate modernisation and ensure equitable treatment for both public and private sector participants. 'Major reforms in defence procurement are underway. The Ministry of Defence has slashed timelines by 69 weeks and is shifting from cost-plus models to competitive pricing. These steps are designed to accelerate modernisation and bring public & private sectors on equal footing," the ministry said in a post on X. Major reforms in defence procurement are underway. The Ministry of Defence has slashed timelines by 69 weeks and is shifting from cost-plus models to competitive pricing. These steps are designed to accelerate #modernisation and bring public & private sectors on equal footing.…— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 30, 2025 The Defence Ministry's statement came a day after Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh raised concerns over delays in major defence procurement projects. While addressing the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Marshal emphasised on the need to expedite the defence procurement process and said that the industry should not make promises if it cannot deliver on time. 'So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we must look at," the Air Force chief said, adding, 'Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved?" he had said. He further added that while signing the contract itself, the forces are sometimes sure that it is not going to come up on time, but still contracts are signed. 'Sometimes we know it's unachievable but sign the contract anyway. We need to be realistic and transparent from the start," he added. The Air Force Chief had further pushed for faster indigenisation and domestic capability under the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. 'We need both capability and capacity. We can't just produce in India – we must design and develop here too. To produce at scale, we need capacity. So, trust and communication between the forces and industry must continue. We need to be open and forthright to ensure the relationship stays strong," he added. Earlier in February, he had expressed dissatisfaction over the delayed delivery of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. 'I was promised that when I come here in February, 11 Tejas Mk1As would be ready. And not a single one is ready. We all have worked there (in HAL). But I find that HAL is just not in mission mode," he had said. First Published:
India Today
30-05-2025
- Business
- India Today
Tejas Mk-1A jet delivery deadline missed again: Here's how timeline unfolded
Amid growing concerns over delays in India's indigenous fighter jet programme, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Thursday urged the defence industry not to make promises it cannot deliver on time. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry's Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Force chief underscored that "timeline is a big issue" — a sharp reminder of the Indian Air Force's mounting frustration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) over the delayed delivery of Tejas Mk-1A fighter three months ago, the IAF chief had publicly voiced concern about the slippage in deadlines. On paper, HAL was to deliver the first of 83 LCA Mk-1A jets by March 31, 2024, under a Rs 48,000 crore deal signed in February 2021. That did not happen.A STALLED TIMELINEThe Tejas Mk-1A — a more advanced variant of the LCA Mk-1 — has faced persistent delays, largely due to late engine deliveries from GE Aerospace and protracted certification processes. The first F404-IN20 engine for the Mk-1A aircraft was delivered only in March 2025, nearly two years behind schedule. The delivery, part of a USD 716 million contract for 99 engines, was hailed as a 'milestone' by GE Aerospace's Combat & Trainer Engines General Manager Shawn Warren, who said it would "ensure a strong future for India's military". But for HAL, it was only the beginning of a race to recover lost PUSH AFTER ENGINE BOTTLENECKSadvertisementFollowing the arrival of the long-awaited engines, HAL has ramped up its production capacity by restructuring its Bengaluru facility and adding a parallel assembly line. The goal now is to deliver at least 16 Tejas Mk-1A jets annually, aiming to complete the 83-aircraft order by Chairman Dr DK Sunil had earlier assured that with engine supplies stabilising, the production of Mk-1A jets would gather pace. "We have now promised that we will have all the Mk-1A structures ready. Once the engines are available, the Mk-1As will start rolling out," he said at Aero India ORDERS IN PIPELINEDespite the initial hiccups, the IAF is gearing up to place a follow-on order for 97 more Mk-1A aircraft, estimated at Rs 67,000 crore, which would bring the total fleet size to 180. In parallel, a mega Rs 1.3 lakh crore deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCHs) for both the IAF and Indian Army is expected to be finalised within the next six has committed to delivering all 180 Tejas Mk-1A fighters by 2031, with a consolidated production capacity of 16 to 24 aircraft annually beginning delays come at a time when the IAF is retiring ageing aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguars, leaving its squadron strength critically depleted. Without the timely induction of Tejas Mk-1A, the gap between required and available fighters continues to widen — raising serious questions about India's aerial combat PANEL FORMEDadvertisementTo address these systemic delays, the Ministry of Defence had constituted a five-member Defence Empowerment Committee led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The committee recommended a slew of short, medium, and long-term solutions — including involving private players in the LCA production companies are now contributing critical components such as fuselages. Alpha Tocol Engineering Services Pvt Ltd recently handed over the first rear fuselage of the Mk-1A to HAL, with more scheduled to follow. Deliveries of the aircraft will now be streamlined across three separate HAL production lines.
