Defence Ministry Panel Calls for Urgent Action to Address IAF’s Fighter Jet Shortage | PTI Photo
Mumbai: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence report to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has warned of critical shortage of combat jets in the Indian Air Force (IAF) squadron to replace phasing out of ageing MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27 jets.
The report ‘Demands for Grants (2024-25)’ noted that the IAF active squadron strength had fallen to 31 against the authorised 42 with an ageing fleet and delayed inductions of new fighter jets.
The aging fleet of the Mirage 2000, MiG-29 and Jaguar jets in IAF has depleted the active combat jets amid the growing air power of China and Pakistan acquiring new generation fighter jets.
“Pakistan will get fifth-generation stealth fighter jets from China early next year and outpace India in deploying advanced jets. While Pakistan has opted for external procurement, India has focused on developing its own indigenous solutions which is very slow leading to severe shortage of combat jets,” lamented senior IAF official adding that Bangladesh Air Force will also get new fighter jets from China adding to Indian woes on both Western and Eastern theatre.
While the new generation J35 fighter jets will soon join the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) arsenal which already includes J-10CE medium multi-role combat aircraft delivered by China earlier will give strategic advantage over India for the next 12 to 14 years.
The IAF has been able to induct only 36 new Rafale aircraft under the 4.5-plus generation of fighter aircraft to tackle the threat posed by China supplying arms and equipment to the PAF.
“IAF is relying mainly on the indigenous projects for its future capability development, but the LCA Mark 1A project has been hit by delays due to supply chain issues faced by the supplier GE of the US. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) should be urged to enhance Tejas combat aircraft production and fighter jet procurement should be expedited to ensure the IAF operational role is not compromised by declining squadron strength,” notes the Parliamentary Standing Committee report.
IAF has demanded long-term solutions including Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A induction and projects like LCA Mk-II and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) facing delays to be fast tracked to address the critical shortfall.
The committee, in its recommendations, stated: “The Committee at this stage would like to impress upon the MoD to sensitise HAL to augment production of Tejas so that the operational role of the Air Force is not affected due to depletion in squadron strength. They would also like to urge the MoD to expedite the procurement of contracted fighter aircraft. The Committee may be informed of the outcome of the effort made in this regard.”
An IAF official stated that the issue of declining squadron strength would be addressed in the long term through the timely induction of MRFA and LCA Mk-II, emphasising that, along with increasing combat aircraft numbers, critical enablers like airborne early warning systems, advanced electronic intelligence and surveillance capabilities were vital for maintaining the IAF’s strength and readiness in modern warfare
The HAL Tejas, an indigenous single-engine, fourth-generation multirole light fighter aircraft, has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and manufactured by HAL. It traces its origins to the LCA programme initiated in the 1980s to replace the IAF’s ageing MiG-21 fighters — a goal now being pursued through the operational Tejas Mk-I and the planned induction of the advanced Tejas Mk-1A.
The report noted that the IAF has operationalised two squadrons of Tejas Mk-I, comprising 32 single-seat fighters and four twin-seat trainers, with four additional twin-seaters expected soon. The report further highlighted that the Tejas Mk-1A programme is delayed due to design and development issues and challenges with aero engine availability in maintaining the required production rate.
The report, citing a written MoD reply, highlighted that the IAF has contracted 83 LCA Mk-1A aircraft at a cost of Rs 36,468.63 crore with deliveries initially planned to commence from February 2024 been delayed by another few years.
The IAF has advanced a case for procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1A aircraft, for which an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded, and a Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued. The Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) process is underway for the additional aircraft at an estimated cost of Rs 65,848 crore.
While a total of 220 Tejas aircraft encompassing both Mk-I and Mk-1A variants will join IAF in next few years, deliveries of the LCA Mk-2 and fifth-generation AMCA is expected only in the next decade to replace the Mirage 2000, MiG-29and Jaguar jets.
The LCA Mk-2 will feature advanced self-defence capabilities, a higher-thrust engine, and improved maintainability, providing more contemporary technology compared to the LCA Mk-1/1A.
