Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has placed indigenous combat aviation projects at the centre of the Indian Air Force's future plans, making the TEJAS fighter family and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) his highest priorities soon after taking over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.

A strong advocate of Make in India and closely associated with the service's modernisation efforts, Dixit said the Air Force intends to rely increasingly on domestically developed capabilities to meet its long-term operational requirements.

“The TEJAS MK-1A and MK-2, AMCA, Indian sensors and Indian weapons are our highest priority. We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers to meet sustained operations demands,” he said.

His remarks provide a significant endorsement of the TEJAS program at a time when the Indian Air Force is seeking to rebuild fighter strength while reducing dependence on imported systems.

The first TEJAS MK-1A fighters are expected to enter service this year after repeated delays linked to engine supply issues and the integration of key weapons, radars and other systems.

Dixit's explicit backing for the TEJAS MK-2 also appears to settle speculation that the project could be affected by immediate operational pressures and delays in fighter induction. Instead, the next-generation aircraft has been reaffirmed as a core element of the Air Force's future combat fleet.

The TEJAS MK2 is being developed as a larger and more capable platform intended to replace several ageing fighter types currently in service, while the AMCA is envisioned as India's fifth-generation stealth fighter programme and a cornerstone of future air power capability.

Recent timelines outlined by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh indicate that the TEJAS MK-2 prototype is expected to undertake its first flight in 2027, while the AMCA prototype is targeted to fly in 2028. These milestones are regarded as critical steps in India's effort to strengthen indigenous aerospace manufacturing and advanced combat aircraft development.

The Air Force's emphasis on home-grown fighters comes as it continues to grapple with a significant shortfall in combat squadrons. The force currently operates fewer than 30 fighter squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 44, creating pressure to accelerate both indigenous production and new acquisitions.

Alongside the TEJAS and AMCA programs, the Air Force is also pursuing the procurement of 114 additional Rafale fighters, with the agreement expected to be concluded during the current financial year.

By prioritising TEJAS MK-1A, TEJAS MK-2, AMCA, indigenous sensors and Indian-made weapon systems, the new Air Chief has signalled that self-reliance, combat readiness and long-term force expansion will remain central themes of the Air Force's modernisation strategy.

Agencies