IAF chief says 36-40 new fighters a year needed to halt squadron decline

October 3, 2026 at 04:29 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Saturday the force needs 36-40 new fighter aircraft a year just to stop its squadron strength from falling. He warned that delays in aircraft development and production directly hurt operational capability. Singh outlined programmes including the Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, the proposed 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft procurement and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft to address the shortfall.

Key Facts

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the IAF needs 36-40 new fighter aircraft a year to halt squadron decline.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is looking at producing more than 24 aircraft a year.
Singh described Pakistan-China cooperation on fifth-generation fighter jets as a 'cause of concern'.
No decision has been taken on Russia's offer of the Su-57 fighter.

Squadron Shortfall

Singh said the IAF needs 36-40 new fighter aircraft a year just to stop its squadron strength from falling, and more to rebuild it. This meant adding roughly two fighter squadrons annually, he said at his annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day. He warned that delays in aircraft development and production directly hurt operational capability, stating 'Technology delayed is technology denied.'

Procurement Programmes

Singh outlined programmes to address the shortfall, including the Tejas Mk-1A, Tejas Mk-2, the proposed procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's fifth-generation fighter project. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is looking at producing more than 24 aircraft a year, he said. Tejas production, an MRFA contract and additional aircraft orders could help meet the annual requirement if the programmes proceed as planned. The IAF might have to consider alternative fighter platforms if the AMCA or other programmes were delayed, Singh said, adding that no decision had been taken on Russia's offer of the Su-57.

Theatre Commands and Regional Concerns

On theatre commands, Singh said the IAF was not opposed to their creation, but their structure and implementation needed careful examination. Operational experience from Operation Sindoor had changed the direction of discussions, he said. With a revamped Chiefs of Staff Committee in place, the military would examine the proposed structure afresh, including whether to implement it in one go or in stages. Singh described Pakistan-China cooperation on fifth-generation fighter jets as a 'cause of concern', but said Pakistan had not realised the full potential of its platforms because of gaps in their integration with its wider combat system.