IAF Squadron Strength to Fall Short of 2025-26 Target Amid Fighter Jet Deficit

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to miss its target of adding nine new squadrons to its fleet by 2025-26, despite ongoing efforts to address its fighter jet deficit.

The original plan was to induct nine additional squadrons, but only two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets and one squadron of the Tejas Mk1A are confirmed for induction at this time. The delivery of the Tejas Mk1A has been hampered by production challenges, further hindering the IAF's plans.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the manufacturer of the Tejas Mk1A, has committed to delivering at least six more aircraft by mid-2025, with another squadron's worth to follow in 2026. This development is positive, but even with these deliveries, the IAF will still be short of its target.

The IAF currently needs approximately 108-120 fighter jets to fill its squadron deficit. Even with the planned addition of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft over the next three years, the gap remains considerable.

In an attempt to partially bridge the gap, the IAF is reportedly negotiating with Qatar to acquire 12 used Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets. While this could offer a short-term solution, it doesn't address the long-term need for a modern and robust fighter fleet.

The situation could improve after 2026. If HAL can produce 16 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets annually as promised, the IAF could form one new squadron each year, making significant progress towards resolving its fighter jet shortage.

The IAF's current challenges underline the complexities associated with modernizing a large and intricate air force.

Though the induction of new Rafale and Tejas Mk1A squadrons marks advancement, delays and production shortfalls are creating obstacles. To achieve its long-term goal of a fully modernized fighter fleet, the IAF will need to maintain a strong focus on indigenous production and strategic procurement initiatives.

 

[Pramkumar]

Only solution for imported/ impotent Air Force is buy all the attack light 2nd gen fighters from Africa and Latin America

But test the MK1A in moon surface and mars outer space

 

[sanket]

Instead of Buying 12 old qatari Mirage-2000 For 66 Mn $ India should have gone for 0ne Rafale sqad.India should have Fast tracked MRFA and Fighter would have started delivered by now.

 

[Anant]

Who exactly forecast 6 squadrons joining by 2025-26? Without MRFA, that was always a pipe dream.

Oh, and for folks saying that HAL will deliver all 16 promised Mk 1As by the end of March 2025: Just came out today that the IAF itself is frustrated with the delays, and the first aircraft probably isn't arriving till the end of August. HAL's excuse is that this is a brand new aircraft. Yeah, HAL isn't managing 6 by March, let alone 16. As for squadron-level strength deliveries, I'd say we should have one squadron by the end of 2026.

Moreover, there is news that the Nashik line may simply be repurposed for export orders of the Su-30, thereby meaning even more delays.

Unless someone in MoD realises the sheer level of incompetence possessed by HAL and pushes forward with MRFA or some other acquisition, we are done.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Who exactly forecast 6 squadrons joining by 2025-26? Without MRFA, that was always a pipe dream.

Oh, and for folks saying that HAL will deliver all 16 promised Mk 1As by the end of March 2025: Just came out today that the IAF itself is frustrated with the delays, and the first aircraft probably isn't arriving till the end of August. HAL's excuse is that this is a brand new aircraft. Yeah, HAL isn't managing 6 by March, let alone 16. As for squadron-level strength deliveries, I'd say we should have one squadron by the end of 2026.

Moreover, there is news that the Nashik line may simply be repurposed for export orders of the Su-30, thereby meaning even more delays.

Unless someone in MoD realises the sheer level of incompetence possessed by HAL and pushes forward with MRFA or some other acquisition, we are done.

I dont think, this is specifically hal's problems. Rather it is ge aerospace not delivering engines, and other suppliers not delivering parts. Its an old engine that ge hasnot made up their production line fully functional yet.

 

[GMR]

Instead of Buying 12 old qatari Mirage-2000 For 66 Mn $ India should have gone for 0ne Rafale sqad.India should have Fast tracked MRFA and Fighter would have started delivered by now.

Yes, this would have been ideal, but logic fails with IA & IAF's acquisition process & practice, with Babu's in MOD leading the gang

 

[Satya Dev]

IAF needs to order at least 36-54 more Rafales & govt needs to crack the whip on HAL to start new assembly lines for TejasMk2 & fast track SuperSukhoi upgrade.

 

[GMR]

I dont think, this is specifically hal's problems. Rather it is ge aerospace not delivering engines, and other suppliers not delivering parts. Its an old engine that ge hasnot made up their production line fully functional yet.

It is the responsibility & accountability of HAL, as the leading intergrator, to ensure that proper supply chain is established & functioning before / while taking up the job. HAL must not get clean chit, putting all blame on own suppliers

 

[Raj]

Total time waste with Hal or drdo on amca or mrfa or tedbf. Even airforce ready to retire mig 29,mirage 2000. Billions to purchase rafale without getting new capability. Nobody in the world made fighter for 40 numbers. Join hands with foreign players for 5th gen, 6th gen. Or purchase few rafale or f-35.

 

[Raj]

I think with uav, multi role fighters airforce requirement is much less than what people r quoting like 42 squadrons. Modernizing su30mki's, Few more rafale or f-35 squadrons sufficient to fight I guess.

 

[NSR]

Qatari Mirage-2000-5 fighters are too old and no one knows the exact conditions of them and they are asking $58 millions per fighter now. Came down from $62 millions per fighter.
Extremely expensive quote for such an old fighter.

Try MRFA of some kind that IAF likes (most probably Rafale).

 

[Shafted mohammed]

Honestly HAL and its incompetent low skill labour force cannot deliver anything. The union would see that not much planes roll out. I strongly believe if you want results , go to L&T , Godrej , BF , tata aerospace and mahindra or adani as they they take pride in finishing their projects and doing it in time. They can spend in automatation if the order is large. Honestly why it is taking so long to develop Tejas MK2 Prototypes and why it is taking so long to roll out the first few Tejas MK1A. I am really worried with the skill set and crude machine engineering of the staf and someone incompetent ordering the supplies.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Few months ago news was circulated that HAL will shore up to 24 Tejas per year. When demand is there these babus are unable to cater to it, shame on them. If engines are late then also produce higher number of jets. Some may be without engines. When engines come you don't have to start from zero. You can roll out jets faster.
Have 2 assembly lines at Nashik and Lucknow each in addition to Bangalore. They can cater to trainers, Sukhois and additional Tejas jets. Year after year same story repeats for HAL. Only bahanas are new.
Demand is there for the product. Its the mindset to cater to this demand which is shameful.

 

[RajuB]

We are f u cked. By 2027 to 2035, there is a big war prediction for Bharat. At least if we are completely defeated, it will teach the political and buerocrat a lesson, which revived the military like it did after 1962 defeat.

 

[wallisk]

We are f u cked. By 2027 to 2035, there is a big war prediction for Bharat. At least if we are completely defeated, it will teach the political and buerocrat a lesson, which revived the military like it did after 1962 defeat.

YES! Already, PAF have 35 squadrons with at least 300 nos. of 4.5 gen. jets...

 

[wallisk]

ONLY ONE to blame is Govt.!! Instead of doing a G2G deal for 126 nos. Rafale jets at lowest costs in 2010, dey tried to do scams in UPA govt. with connivance of IAF ACM Arup Raha. In NDA govt. they kept changing goalposts with no proper plans, and are now asking for an IMPOSSIBLE 100% ToT. NEXT to BLAME is HAL and ADA. They took 20 years to get FOC for MK1 a supersonic trainer jet. And now HAL is not able to manufacture 24 nos. of MK1A combat-battle ready Tejas LCA jets... MUST get 2 foreign vendors to build fighter jets in India in order to save IAF fleets!

 

[Akshat]

Yes, this would have been ideal, but logic fails with IA & IAF's acquisition process & practice, with Babu's in MOD leading the gang

Most of the time IAF and IA are forced to do these things because of MoD and IAF. If Tejas had been available for induction in the mid 90s like promised or even LCA mk2 was available in 2016, we wouldn’t have seen this day.

 

[Akshat]

I dont think, this is specifically hal's problems. Rather it is ge aerospace not delivering engines, and other suppliers not delivering parts. Its an old engine that ge hasnot made up their production line fully functional yet.

GE has already delivered more than enough engines. This is solely HAL’s fault as of now. We haven’t even heard any news about all the trainers being delivered from older orders.

 

[wallisk]

Few months ago news was circulated that HAL will shore up to 24 Tejas per year. When demand is there these babus are unable to cater to it, shame on them. If engines are late then also produce higher number of jets. Some may be without engines. When engines come you don't have to start from zero. You can roll out jets faster.
Have 2 assembly lines at Nashik and Lucknow each in addition to Bangalore. They can cater to trainers, Sukhois and additional Tejas jets. Year after year same story repeats for HAL. Only bahanas are new.
Demand is there for the product. Its the mindset to cater to this demand which is shameful.

BEST solution is for LM plant in India and make 36 F16V jets per year at a total ops costs of $175 millions usd per jet really.... Can make even 200 jets this way to quickly bolster IAF fleets..

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Yes, this would have been ideal, but logic fails with IA & IAF's acquisition process & practice, with Babu's in MOD leading the gang

Only cabinet gives green light for big tickets. From 2008 IA is asking for MRFA, nothing. Only 36 Rafales. Why blame IA ?