IAF chief slams delay in defence projects, says “we know systems will never come”

In a rare and candid admission, Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said the defence ecosystem often signs contracts with the knowledge that deliveries will not arrive on time. Speaking at a high-level business summit, he singled out major indigenous defence projects, especially the Tejas Mk1A, for missing critical deadlines.

Highlighting that not a single Tejas Mk1A fighter jet has been delivered despite a ₹48,000 crore contract awarded to HAL in 2021, the IAF chief pointed to significant lags caused by delayed engine supplies from the US and lack of readiness from Indian manufacturers. He further revealed that the Tejas Mk2 prototype is yet to be rolled out and the stealth AMCA remains in early conceptual stages.

Calling for an overhaul in approach, Singh urged the armed forces and Indian industry to build a relationship of trust and transparency. “We cannot only talk about producing in India, we must start designing in India. Once a commitment is made, it must be honoured,” he said, underlining that future wars require today's preparedness, not just future promises.

The remarks come days after the government cleared a framework to develop India’s own fifth-generation fighter aircraft under the AMCA programme. Singh warned that while industry might gear up production in the coming decade, the defence forces must be equipped today to face immediate threats.