Tejas Delay: IAF Chief Unhappy With HAL

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh expressed disappointment with HAL over delays in the deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A. He told HAL officials at the Aero India show that he had “no confidence.” The IAF is relying on the Tejas jet to address a shortfall in its squadrons. Delays have forced the IAF to postpone plans to phase out MiG-21s. HAL says they are working on the issue.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

The Indian Air Force’s unhappiness with the delays in the deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet was on display this week at the biennial Aero India show taking place in Bengaluru. The force has been banking on these jets — 83 of which have been ordered — to fulfill a pressing shortfall in its strength of fighter squadrons. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was heard telling officials of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) that he had “no confidence” in the state-owned aerospace company. The IAF is facing growing concerns about meeting future defense needs due to delivery hold ups.

While inspecting an aircraft at the air show, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was heard saying, “I can only tell you what our requirements and our worries are… At the moment, I am just not confident of HAL, which is a very wrong thing to happen.” ACM Singh went on to say that things do not seem to be in “mission mode”. The Tejas is crucial to the modernization plans of the IAF. He added, “HAL is our own company, we all have worked there… I have also served there… I find that we are just not in mission mode… everything is ho jaayega [it will happen].”

The Air Force chief then went on to address what lies at the heart of his complaint — delays in the deliveries of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. ACM Singh indicated that he was talking about a “drastic change” needed in the larger “system” and wasn’t trying to point fingers at “individuals”. The delays could impact national security.

This is not the first time Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has spoken about the delays in the deliveries of Tejas jets, which the Air Force is banking on to address a pressing shortfall in its fighter strength. The Indian Air Force currently operates only 36 Tejas Mk1 jets with deliveries of four pending. Crucially, the force is waiting for 83 Tejas Mk1A jets — which are upgraded variants of the fighters currently in service — that were ordered in 2021. The United States has also expressed concern about the production delays.

Aakhir Tak – Key Takeaways to Remember

• IAF Chief expressed disappointment with HAL over Tejas delivery delays.
• IAF relies on the Tejas jet to address a shortfall in its squadrons.
• Delays have forced IAF to postpone plans to phase out MiG-21s.
• HAL says they are working on the issue.
• The issue is critical for India’s defense preparedness.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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