Indian Air Force chief urges faster development of indigenous fighter jet

Air Chief Marshal Amar Birath Singh said the Indian Air Force needs to speed up the indigenous fighter program, highlighting delays in the Tejas aircraft. He warned that slower progress would let foreign technology outpace domestic efforts. Singh called for increased use of locally produced components, noting that about 80 % of the fighter’s subsystems are already Indian-made, and urged faster integration with the navy’s projects. He emphasized that the defence industry must act promptly to avoid falling behind in critical capabilities.

The chief’s remarks came during a joint ceremony with the navy, where he also inspected new submarine capabilities, underscoring the need for coordinated development across services.