Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Sunday expressed strong confidence in India’s domestic military aviation industry, emphasising that it was poised to achieve greater heights with the upcoming TEJAS MK-2 fighter jet and the future fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), The Tribune reported.

Both aircraft form a crucial part of the Indian Air Force’s expansion plans beyond 2030.

His remarks came at a time when Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the public-sector plane maker, is facing criticism for delays in delivering the TEJAS MK-1A jets. A total of 180 of these upgraded jets are on order, but deliveries have not yet begun. According to the contract, deliveries should have started in March 2024, but none have been handed over to the IAF due to pending integration of radars with onboard missiles.

On Friday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at an event in Bangalore, made a blunt reference to these delays.

He stressed that delays in completing critical military projects must be taken seriously, as they create technology gaps and lead to cost escalation. His comments underscored the urgency of addressing bottlenecks in defence production.

On Sunday, during the ongoing ‘Veer Guardian’ exercise in Jodhpur, the IAF Chief and his Japanese counterpart, General Takehiro Morita, flew in separate TEJAS jets. Air Chief Marshal Singh, who was a TEJAS test pilot earlier in his career, piloted the aircraft himself. General Morita flew in the backseat of another TEJAS, with Group Captain I Samrat of the IAF in control.

Minutes after the sortie, the IAF Chief acknowledged that some deliveries of the TEJAS MK-1A had been affected by global supply chain bottlenecks. He nevertheless asserted that India’s defence aviation industry was set to reach greater heights with the TEJAS MK-2 and AMCA.

He assured that both research and development and production in India’s defence aviation sector were progressing rapidly. He highlighted that the TEJAS aircraft had already been operationalised, marking a significant achievement for indigenous aviation.

General Morita’s flight in the TEJAS was described by the IAF Chief as a strong testament to the trust placed in India’s indigenous platforms. Singh asked his counterpart if he had enjoyed the sortie, to which Morita responded with gratitude, saying he was deeply thankful for the invaluable opportunity to fly in the TEJAS.

General Morita further remarked that the TEJAS, born from indigenous defence capabilities, symbolised India’s technological innovation and embodied the Make in India initiative. His comments reinforced international recognition of India’s growing aviation prowess.

The ongoing Veer Guardian exercise, scheduled from 9 to 22 September, marks the first time that fighter aircraft of the Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) are operating from Indian soil as part of a bilateral exercise.

This milestone reflects deepening defence cooperation between India and Japan, with the TEJAS playing a central role in showcasing India’s indigenous capabilities.

Agencies