Need to catch up with China on tech, production speed: IAF Chief

In a blunt assessment vis-à-vis China, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Friday said “we need to catch up” on technology, while on production speed of military equipment, “we are way behind” the eastern neighbour.

Separately, on the much-delayed production timelines of the indigenous fighter jet programme, the Tejas, the IAF Chief, who was addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day (October 8), said the pace of work by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) needed to match the promise of making 24 jets every year.

Answering questions on countering China, the IAF Chief said: “We have our plans in place.” Air Chief Marshal Singh, who took over as the IAF Chief on September 30, went to compare the scenario: “In terms of the quality of manpower, we are way ahead of China. As far as technology is concerned we may be not so good, as off now. We need to catch up. In term of production rates, we are way behind.”

On HAL and production of indigenous jets, he said: “HAL made a promise that production rates will increase to 24 aircraft per year — if that promise is kept, the delays can be caught up with.” On the dwindling fleet of fighter jets, the IAF Chief said: “Our aim is not to let aircraft strength remain below 30 (squadrons).”

Each squadron has 16-18 jets. The Cabinet Committee of Security lays down the need for 42 fighter jet squadrons to tackle a simultaneous two-front threat from China and Pakistan. The IAF presently has 32 squadrons. It has placed an order with HAL for making 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets, whose deliveries were to start in March this year. However, so far, not a single plane has been delivered. On being asked if the first plane could be expected this year, Air Chief Marshal Singh said: “I cannot comment on that.”

On the future production of indigenously designed fighter jets, the IAF Chief said it was looking at 97 more Tejas Mark-1As and also 6-7 squadrons each of the Tejas Mark 2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Asked how these many planes would be procured, he said: “Private players will have to come in. I don’t think we can continue relying only on one agency (HAL).”

LAC situation same as year ago

• On the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said: “The situation is the same as it was one year ago.”
• The Chinese were creating infrastructure on their side at a rapid pace, he said, adding: “We are matching up by adding capacities.”