Indian Air Force faces fighter shortage amid program delays

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing a critical shortage of fighter aircraft, currently operating approximately 29 squadrons against an authorized strength of 42. Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh stated that the service must induct between 36 and 40 modern fighter aircraft annually in the coming years to prevent further decline in combat capacity.

The shortage is driven by the retirement of aging fleets, including the MiG-21, Jaguar, and MiG-29, and a gap between retiring aircraft and the arrival of replacements. While the indigenous Tejas MK-1A program is intended to bolster the fleet, it has faced delays due to global supply chain issues, specifically regarding jet engine deliveries and system integration. As of now, no serial-production airframes from the initial 83-aircraft deal have entered active service.

To address these gaps, the IAF is considering alternative platforms and looking toward the Tejas MK-2 development and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft project, which involves the potential procurement of 114 combat jets. Additionally, India remains committed to developing fifth-generation stealth capabilities through the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.