New Delhi, February 28: An Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Friday once again expressed concern over the low squadron of fighter planes.
He said that the Air Force needs 35-40 fighter planes every year to phase out Mirage, MiG-29 and Jaguar from the old fleet in the next few years. He suggested looking towards private companies to increase the number of jet planes, citing the C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing in a joint venture of Tata and Airbus.
Addressing a program in New Delhi today, the Air Force Chief said that we need to add two squadrons to our fighter fleet every year. This means that we need 35-40 aircraft every year. However, this capacity cannot come overnight, but these aircraft are needed to meet the existing deficiencies. Also, this need is to meet the gaps that will arise after the phase-out of the existing fleet in the next 5-10 years.
He said that Jaguar, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 jets were included in the air fleet during the 1980s, which are to be retired in a phased manner after 2029-30.
Earlier this month, during Aero India in Bengaluru, the Air Force Chief had raised concerns over the pace of production of Tejas Mark-1A jets, as the supply of the contracted 83 Tejas Mark-1A jets is running more than a year behind the deadline.
Air Force Chief said that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has promised to make 24 Tejas Mark-1A jets next year. Once again in an angry tone, he spoke about balancing self-reliance with the needs of the Air Force, saying that I am not insisting on purchases from foreign companies, but the supply of indigenous aircraft is much less than the promised figure, something will need to be done to overcome these shortcomings.
He suggested looking towards private companies to increase the number of jet aircraft and cited the manufacturing of C-295 transport aircraft in a joint venture between Tata and Airbus.
He said that we can get 12-18 jet aircraft every year with private participation. Giving the vision of the Air Force till 2047,
Air Chief Marshal Singh said that we have to move forward in this way. This time frame is for ‘Viksit Bharat’ or developed India.
He said that the Air Force currently has 31 squadrons of fighter aircraft, while 42 squadrons are needed to deal with the threat on two fronts against Pakistan and China.
