IAF Chief flags Pakistan fifth-gen jet plans, says India needs 40 new aircraft annually

The Indian Air Force needs to induct 36 to 40 aircraft annually to stop its fighter squadrons from falling below 30 and reach the sanctioned strength of 42, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday. Speaking ahead of the 94th Air Force Day on October 8, the Air Chief stated that the force could begin inducting 30 to 35 jets yearly if plans go as expected.

Fighter Jets and Fleet

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited aims to deliver up to 24 LCA Mk1A aircraft to the IAF every year. If HAL produces 20 jets annually and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft contract for 114 Rafale jets is finalised by the end of this year, total annual induction would hit around 32 aircraft. Adding a proposed contract for 12 additional Su-30 aircraft at six jets per year could push total annual induction to between 35 and 40 units. The IAF plans to maintain a mix of LCA Tejas Mk 1A, LCA Mk 2, French Rafales, and the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

Pakistan and Fifth-Gen Threat

Addressing reports of Pakistan acquiring China's fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter jet, Air Chief Marshal Singh called it a cause for worry and noted reports that Pakistani pilots are already training in China. However, he stated that India possesses the required capabilities to counter the threat by integrating its platforms effectively, noting that Pakistan failed to achieve significant results with past platforms during Operation Sindoor. He also emphasized the need to push the indigenous AMCA programme and consider alternatives if delays occur, adding that Russia has offered its Su-57 fighter jets though no decision has been made.

Missile Capabilities

To boost beyond-visual-range combat capability, the IAF is working on the indigenous Astra missile and its variants. The Astra Mk1 is in production with an 80 to 110 km range, the Mk2 is midway through research and development with a 200 km range, and the Mk3 is in initial stages using Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology with a range over 350 km. India is also looking to procure Russian R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles and additional French Meteor missiles.

Context

Maintaining fighter squadron strength is a persistent challenge for military planners as older aircraft retire faster than new ones arrive from domestic and foreign production lines. Regional air power balances shift whenever rival nations introduce stealth technology and advanced long-range weapons into their fleets. Air Chief Marshal Singh also praised Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar for his physical and mental resolve during a recent incident involving an Israel-bound flight.