New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has voiced serious concerns over chronic delays in India’s defence procurement process, especially in critical indigenous projects. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief said, “Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Not a single project I can think of is completed on time.”
The Air Chief specifically cited delays in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, pointing out that none of the 83 Tejas Mk1A jets ordered under a ₹48,000 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in February 2021 have been delivered. The first deliveries, initially expected in March 2024, remain pending. He also noted that the prototype for Tejas Mk2 is yet to be unveiled and there is still no prototype for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s planned stealth fighter jet.
His remarks come at a time when the IAF is pushing hard for faster domestic production and greater self-reliance under the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. “We cannot just talk about producing in India; we need to talk about designing in India,” the Air Chief said. “Trust between the forces and the industry is essential. Once a commitment is made, it must be honoured. The Air Force is doing its best to support Make in India.”
Underlining the urgency of modernisation, he stressed, “We have to be now-ready to be future-ready. What we need today, we need today. Wars are won by empowering our forces, not by future promises.”
Air Chief Marshal Singh also referenced Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strike launched on May 7 in response to a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed 26 lives. Intelligence linked the attack to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and elements within Pakistan’s military. India’s counter-operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 terrorists.
“Operation Sindoor showed how the nature of warfare is evolving. We are seeing new technologies every day, and this operation has given us clarity on what future readiness should look like,” he said. He noted that India is working to realign its defence strategies and improve operational capabilities.
On a positive note, he highlighted that the AMCA project has now been opened to private industry participation—marking a significant shift in India’s defence production policy and reflecting increased trust in the private sector’s capabilities. “This is a major step forward and could pave the way for even greater advancements in the future,” he said.
This is not the first time the Air Chief has publicly criticised delays in India’s defence sector. In October 2023, shortly after assuming office, he lamented that while India was once ahead of China in military technology, it has since fallen behind. More recently, in February 2024, a leaked audio recording of the Air Chief expressing a lack of confidence in HAL further highlighted his concerns about production inefficiencies.
His latest remarks reinforce the urgent need for reform and accountability in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
