Stressing on self-reliance in the defence sector, Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Friday said that if victory is to be achieved in future wars, the number of indigenous fighter aircrafts and weapons will have to be increased and for this Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has to fulfill its promise of making 24 aircrafts every year.
Referring to the increasing importance of the strength of the Air Force in view of the changing circumstances and the current wars, he said that if HAL is not able to meet this challenge then private sector of the country will have to come forward for it.
The Chief of Air Staff boldly said that the number of squadrons of fighter aircraft in the Air Force cannot be increased overnight and added that the Air Force will have to fight with the aircraft and weapons it currently has.
He said, “Nothing can be done in this situation because it is not a short term or a matter that can be bought overnight. Along with procurement, training is equally important and it takes time. It takes time not only to select the aircraft but also to induct it into the Air Force”.
The Air Force Chief said that even if the Air Force buys two or three squadrons at once, training for those aircraft also takes time, which is necessary.
It may be mentioned that the number of squadrons of fighter aircraft in the Air Force is 31, much less than the approved number of 42. The Air Force has been facing shortage of aircrafts for the last decade.
The CAS said, "The project of light combat aircraft Tejas is getting delayed. HAL had promised to manufacture 24 aircrafts every year and if this is accomplished then the position of the Air Force in terms of aircraft will improve. It is a matter of concern if this promise of HAL is not fulfilled. HAL will have some limitations and real problems".
"It is also a patriotic organization and for some reason the work might not be getting done. Anyway we cannot depend on one agency, the private sector will have to come forward to meet the need of indigenous aircraft," the Air Force chief said.
