Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressed the media on Saturday, demanding that the Indian Air Force (IAF) bring 36 to 40 new aircraft into service each year to restore its squadron count from the current 30 to the sanctioned 42. The IAF chief warned that the indeterminate delays in receiving the Tejas Mark‑1A and Rafale fighters are eroding operational readiness.
The high‑profile MRFA agreement, which cleared a ₹48,000‑crore contract for 114 Rafale jets in February, is now in the final price‑negotiation stage. Singh said the deal could be signed before the end of the current fiscal year if all parties stay on schedule.
Yet the Tejas program remains a thorn; 83 Mark‑1A aircraft were ordered in 2021 with a March‑2024 delivery target, but no jet has reached IAF bases yet. A subsequent ₹62,370‑crore order for 97 more Mark‑1As was signed last September, still pending production.
With the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project stalled, Singh floated the option of Russian Su‑57 fighters, though no decision has been taken. He stressed that the IAF must remain flexible and open to alternatives if domestic programmes lag.
Besides aircraft, Singh also touched on the 2019 theatreisation initiative, noting that lessons from Operation Sindoor could reshape how the army, navy and air force coordinate. The government will decide the structure and timeline for implementation in the coming months.
Ultimately, the IAF’s next step hinges on the timely signing of the Rafale deal and the start of Tejas production; the government has pledged to finalize the MRFA agreement by the fiscal year’s close.