Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh officially took over as the 28th Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on September 30, marking a significant leadership transition at a time when the force faces critical challenges in maintaining air superiority and balancing national security with indigenous military development.
The distinguished officer, known for his flamboyance and hands-on approach, brings with him over 5,000 hours of flying experience, having piloted a wide range of aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-29, and Sukhoi Su-30MKI. However, his recent remarks on “Atma Nirbharta” (self-reliance) in defense have sparked national debate, especially as the IAF grapples with dwindling squadron strength and the delayed introduction of indigenous fighter jets.
In July, before taking over as the Air Chief, then Vice Chief of the Air Staff Singh made headlines by emphasizing the need for a cautious approach toward India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defense. His statement that “Atma Nirbharta can’t come at the cost of national security” highlighted the precarious position of the IAF. Singh pointed out that while India strives for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing, the increasing pace at which its adversaries are acquiring new technologies and expanding their military capabilities has left the country in a vulnerable position.
The IAF’s fighter squadron strength currently stands at 32, down from its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons—a shortfall that raises serious concerns about India’s defense preparedness, particularly given the aggressive military modernization programs underway in neighboring China and Pakistan. The last major acquisition by the IAF was the procurement of 36 French Rafale fighter jets, far fewer than the original plan to acquire 126 jets under the now-defunct Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal.
As Singh has observed, the capability gap continues to widen, especially with China’s rapid induction of fifth-generation fighter jets like the J-20, and Pakistan’s deployment of Chinese J-10C ‘Vigorous Dragon’ jets to counter India’s Rafales. The looming question for the IAF is how it will keep pace with such advancements while working within the constraints of India’s defense policies, which heavily prioritize indigenization over imports.
Delays in Indigenous Fighter Programs
To address the fighter jet shortfall, the IAF has pinned its hopes on indigenous platforms such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, Mk2, and the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). However, the development and delivery of these aircraft have been plagued by delays, particularly due to issues with the supply of engines from foreign manufacturers.
The IAF’s planned induction of the LCA Mk1A, which represents an upgraded version of the domestically developed Tejas, has faced multiple setbacks. Initially scheduled for delivery by March 2024, the first LCA Mk1A has yet to arrive, with delays attributed to the U.S.-based General Electric’s (GE) late delivery of engines. These challenges come as the IAF retires its aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-21 fighter jets, which have been in service since the 1960s. The remaining two MiG-21 squadrons are expected to be phased out by 2025, further compounding the fighter jet shortfall. Despite the IAF’s orders for 83 LCA Mk1A jets, the force has been forced to reconsider its procurement timelines and look to other avenues to shore up its fighter strength in the short term.
In addition to the delays surrounding the LCA, the IAF’s plans to acquire 116 Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) have been stalled for several years. This program is seen as a reincarnation of the earlier MMRCA deal, which aimed to acquire 126 jets, but was ultimately scaled back in favor of purchasing 36 Rafales from France.
The MRFA deal, which has been under consideration since the late 2010s, envisions the procurement of 114 jets from foreign manufacturers at an estimated cost of $20 billion. However, the Indian government’s firm commitment to promoting “Make in India” policies has meant that these acquisitions remain in limbo, with foreign manufacturers hesitant to proceed without clear directives from the Indian defense ministry. Air Chief Marshal Singh’s predecessor, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhary (retired), had pushed for six squadrons to be inducted under the MRFA program as the IAF waits for the LCA Mk1A, Mk2, and AMCA to enter operational service.
This delay comes at a time when the IAF needs immediate reinforcements to counter regional threats, particularly from China’s growing air power. In response to India’s induction of the Rafales, China has stationed advanced J-10 and J-20 fighters at airbases close to the Indian border. Without a fifth-generation aircraft of its own, India is at a distinct disadvantage, especially in high-altitude scenarios where China’s fighters have been specifically positioned to challenge Indian air dominance.
Leadership with Vision
Air Chief Marshal Singh’s candid and proactive style has earned him significant respect within the defense community. His extensive experience in testing and evaluating new aircraft—most notably as the Project Director at the National Flight Test Centre, where he was closely involved with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft—underscores his deep technical understanding of the IAF’s challenges and its future path.
In a show of confidence and leadership, Singh participated in high-profile multinational air wargames hosted by the IAF, where he personally flew the indigenous Tejas fighter jet. In a symbolic gesture during these exercises, Singh intercepted a Eurofighter Typhoon flown by German Air Force Chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, showcasing India’s capability to engage with some of the most advanced fighters in the world. This act highlighted the potential of the Tejas platform but also underscored the need for further development and mass production to meet the IAF’s growing operational requirements.
Speaking to the challenges facing the new IAF Chief, Director of the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) Air Marshal Anil Golani stated, “The main challenges are production and delivery of Tejas Mk1A, aero-engine design and development, and indigenous weapons.” While the LCA Mk1A is seen as the backbone of the future IAF fighter fleet, its delayed delivery has been a significant setback.
The IAF’s reliance on foreign engine suppliers has also been a critical bottleneck in the development of indigenous aircraft. India’s domestic aerospace industry has struggled for decades to develop a reliable jet engine that can power its fighters. The Kaveri engine project, aimed at producing an indigenous engine for the Tejas, has seen limited success, leading India to partner with foreign manufacturers to fill the gap.
In June 2022, during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, American aerospace giant GE signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the IAF. This agreement marked a major milestone in India’s efforts to boost domestic aerospace capabilities. The Tejas Mk2 aircraft will now be equipped with GE’s F414 jet engine, a more powerful variant than the F404 engines used in the Mk1 version. HAL plans to produce 180 LCA Mk1A jets, with 40 already operationally deployed in two squadrons.
The F414 engines are expected to power not only the LCA Mk2 but also India’s future fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Discussions are also ongoing with French jet engine manufacturer Safran, which has offered 100% technology transfer for a new engine to power the AMCA. This collaboration could represent a major step toward achieving India’s goal of self-reliance in military technology.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh’s tenure as the Chief of Air Staff comes at a pivotal moment for the IAF. His leadership will be crucial in ensuring that the force can bridge the gap between its current operational capabilities and the ambitious goals of self-reliance set by the government. However, as Singh has repeatedly emphasized, “Atma Nirbharta cannot come at the cost of national security.” While the indigenization of defense production remains a strategic objective for India, it must be balanced with the immediate need to maintain a strong and capable air force in the face of evolving regional threats.
With China and Pakistan rapidly modernizing their air fleets, the IAF must continue to push for timely deliveries of indigenous platforms while remaining open to selective foreign acquisitions to maintain its operational edge. The next few years will be critical for the IAF, and under Singh’s experienced leadership, the force appears poised to navigate these challenges with a mix of pragmatism and innovation.
