The Indian Air Force (IAF) is grappling with a critical shortage of combat aircraft, with its squadron strength plummeting to its lowest point since 1965.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh addressed the issue at his annual press conference, acknowledging the severity of the situation and emphasizing the IAF's commitment to "fighting with whatever we have."
The IAF's current strength stands at a concerning 31 squadrons, a significant drop from the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, a number determined based on perceived threat levels along India's borders.
This decline is largely attributed to the retirement of aging Soviet-era aircraft and delays in procuring replacements.
The situation is particularly alarming given that the last time the IAF operated with such limited resources was in 1965 during the war with Pakistan.
Air Chief Marshal Singh stressed the urgent need to expedite the production of indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and acquire new multi-role fighters.
He highlighted the stalled progress on the 2018 initiative to procure 114 multi-role fighters under the 'Make in India' program.
"It's not a short-term process," he cautioned, emphasizing that even with new acquisitions, training pilots on the new platforms will take time.
The Air Chief, who has been closely involved with the LCA project, urged for lessons to be learned from past delays and called for greater private sector involvement in aircraft production.
He expressed optimism that meeting LCA delivery timelines and finalizing the multi-role fighter contract would prevent the situation from deteriorating further.
This decline in combat readiness raises concerns about India's ability to adequately address potential threats on its borders.
The IAF reached a peak strength of 41 squadrons in 1996, but that number has steadily dwindled over the years.
Currently, two squadrons are operating with minimal flying hours, conserving their aging MiG-21 fighters, which first saw action in the 1971 war, while awaiting the delivery of LCA Mk1A fighters.
The Air Chief's statements underscore the pressing need for swift action to bolster the IAF's capabilities and ensure India's national security.
