Indian Air Force emphasizes manned jets and drone teaming

Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh has emphasized that manned fighter jets remain essential to modern combat, rejecting the notion that drones will entirely replace piloted aircraft. Speaking at the India Defence Conclave, Singh highlighted the importance of the “man in the loop” concept, where human judgment is central to complex decision-making and critical strikes. He noted that global military trends are moving toward manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), where human pilots command networks of drones.

This strategic focus comes as the IAF faces a significant shortfall in combat aircraft. The force currently operates an estimated 29 fighter squadrons, well below the mandated 42 required to manage potential two-front threats. As legacy aircraft like the MiG-21 are retired, the gap remains a challenge due to the long development timelines for domestic platforms such as the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

To address this vulnerability, defense strategists are looking toward Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) as force multipliers. Programs such as the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) CATS Warrior “loyal wingman” concept aim to supplement existing manned fleets. These drones are intended to assist in operations and overwhelm enemy systems, providing combat mass more rapidly than traditional fighter jet procurement.