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.

 

[Dredd]

inducting Su30MKi in 2025 doesn't make any sense , let them die like MiG21s , you don't go around and procure replacement Mig21 if they crash. Let replace Su30MKI with either Tejas/AMCA.

 

[Raj]

Just kill all the projects like amca ,tedbf,mrfa. , even tejas mk2. Join hands with Korea for kf 21. It can resolve max problems. Amca may take 10 to 15yrs to develop, rafale with 0 tech transfer, just 40 fighters no one develop tedbf. U can mass produce kf 21 with private players , replace obsolete fleet.

 

[Anant]

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.

Not by a country mile. 42 squadrons is pretty conservative anyways.

 

[Anant]

Just kill all the projects like amca ,tedbf,mrfa. , even tejas mk2. Join hands with Korea for kf 21. It can resolve max problems. Amca may take 10 to 15yrs to develop, rafale with 0 tech transfer, just 40 fighters no one develop tedbf. U can mass produce kf 21 with private players , replace obsolete fleet.

TEDBF has a production line of atleast 100 aircraft, and very possibly close to 200. Not sure where you get 40 from.

 

[Anurag]

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.

That's why IAF starts blaming GE for the delay in production of tejas mk-1a check for the latest updates!!

 

[abhinav srivastava]

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..

Nah.. That will be a sure shot way to kill desi R&D. We need to reform HAL and also create a pvt company which can produce jets in a timely manner.

 

[Sandeep]

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.

No there’s no big war coming as we have nuclear weapons which can be used if we are threatened.

 

[wallisk]

Just kill all the projects like amca ,tedbf,mrfa. , even tejas mk2. Join hands with Korea for kf 21. It can resolve max problems. Amca may take 10 to 15yrs to develop, rafale with 0 tech transfer, just 40 fighters no one develop tedbf. U can mass produce kf 21 with private players , replace obsolete fleet.

BEST AND MOST PRACTICAL IDEA and Suggestions Bruh... U r the BEST here really!! I agree 100% with you dude..

 

[wallisk]

inducting Su30MKi in 2025 doesn't make any sense , let them die like MiG21s , you don't go around and procure replacement Mig21 if they crash. Let replace Su30MKI with either Tejas/AMCA.

Can buy more Rafale F3R ver. jets for the same ops costs of new SU30MKI's really....

 

[wallisk]

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.

That is a MUST now- at least 4 to 6 squadrons of Rafale F4.2 g2g orders direct deliveries only; no any ToT required at all....

 

[wallisk]

That's why IAF starts blaming GE for the delay in production of tejas mk-1a check for the latest updates!!

HAL MD-CEO is THE BIGGEST LIAR of India dude.... He is a presstitude biaatch just giving press releases to boost Defense PSU stocks to increase his personal wealth only!

 

[Akshat]

That's why IAF starts blaming GE for the delay in production of tejas mk-1a check for the latest updates!!

I am assuming you are quoting the ‘unnamed sources’ based article in HT (and some other media who are carrying the same article).

Firstly, we have seen in the past that ‘unnamed sources’ are not at all reliable. So this article has to be rejected outright.

Even if considered, the article says that there are not enough engines for 16 jets. HAL so far hasn’t delivered even 1. So the delay for now is entirely on HAL.

 

[Dagger]

That is a MUST now- at least 4 to 6 squadrons of Rafale F4.2 g2g orders direct deliveries only; no any ToT required at all....

That will give opposition a chance to crack down on present govt's
"make india initiative". No way they are going to do that for sure just for the sake of their electoral ego.

 

[Dagger]

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.

True, the "42 squadron" number was brought up long long ago, when numbers used to speak more than quality. The war in russia has clearly shown that number doesnt matter, its the quality and strategy that always matters. That is why i believe the agniveer is good in a sense because we simply dont require that huge of a land army, it just eats into R&D investment and keeps our overall defense structure weak

 

[M S Chatterji]

The original need for 45 squadron was set in 1995. At that time the current highly versatile planes like Sukhoi, Rafale, LCA-1 and 2 did not exist. As these planes join the IAF, the number of planes needed for defence reduced as a Sukhoi or Rafale can face up two or three MiG-21 or other planes. Hence harping on 1995 determined strength is not advisable. Most large airforces in Europe have reduced the number of fighters needed as modern fighters join. The Chinese are an exception as they mass produce anything including fighters but these are of second class quality.

 

[Pink Panther]

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

All because of the tips loving IAF, they purposely delay Tejas asking for repeated specs changes not letting HAL develop anything on time.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

GOI doesn’t want to spend $10Bln to get just 0ne squadron, this is the main reason why they are hunting for used jets until Tejas is inducted in full speed.

 

[Anurag]

I am assuming you are quoting the ‘unnamed sources’ based article in HT (and some other media who are carrying the same article).

Firstly, we have seen in the past that ‘unnamed sources’ are not at all reliable. So this article has to be rejected outright.

Even if considered, the article says that there are not enough engines for 16 jets. HAL so far hasn’t delivered even 1. So the delay for now is entirely on HAL.

As I believe unnamed sources are not reliable so it can be rejected outright I am just mutually agree with you!!
Now things are why MoD or IAF is not punishing hal for not delivering the jets as it's comes under the delivery clauses!!
why they are all trying to save hal I just don't get it why they never put them in the condition where they have to be answerable and pay charges for putting country at risk!!!

 

[PKPRS]

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

Becuase IAF doesn’t want them, they didn’t like Rafale’s performance after buying 36, it is very simple to understand why they are not buying even one more even after Macron’s repeated pleading, begging and crying for more than 100 times for the last 5-6 years.

 

[PKPRS]

That's why IAF starts blaming GE for the delay in production of tejas mk-1a check for the latest updates!!

It is IAF who is causing the delays asking for repeated changes in Tejas.