In late December 2024, China unveiled its sixth-generation stealth fighter jets, marking another leap in its rapidly advancing military capabilities. The new aircraft, believed to be part of the J-36 program, known as the “White Elephant,” further cements China’s position as a dominant military power in Asia. The unveiling of these cutting-edge jets signals China’s growing technological prowess and its commitment to modernizing its armed forces. Meanwhile, India’s progress on its own fighter jet programs remains mired in delays, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) still waiting for the full delivery of its indigenous Tejas aircraft, despite initial promises of rapid production.
India’s Struggle to Fulfill Tejas Orders: A Production Bottleneck
At the 21st Subroto Mukherjee Seminar, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressed the alarming delays in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, emphasizing that the IAF has yet to receive the first 40 Tejas fighters, despite HAL beginning deliveries in 2016. His words were a stark reminder of the growing disparity between India’s defence ambitions and the pace of production: “First aircraft flew in 2001—17 years. Then, the induction started another 15 years later—2016. Today, we are in 2024, I do not have the first 40 aircraft also. This is the production capability. We need to do something.”
Technical Failure?
These delays are not just technical failures; they have real-world implications for India’s defence readiness. Despite the long history of the Tejas project—dating back to the 1980s—India continues to face production bottlenecks, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-run manufacturer, unable to scale up operations to meet the IAF’s demands. The hold-up is primarily due to delays in securing critical components, such as the GE-F404 jet engines from General Electric, which are vital to the Tejas’ performance.
A Growing Technological Gap: China’s Military Advances
While India’s own production lines stall, China has dramatically accelerated its military modernization. The J-36, which is expected to be a formidable force in future air combat, is poised to give China an edge in the skies for decades to come. Air Chief Marshal Singh pointed out that, “China is investing heavily in its air force, the recent unveiling of its new stealth aircraft is a case in point.”
China’s military advances are not just a regional issue—they have global implications. As China pushes ahead with its sixth-generation fighter development, India finds itself caught in a race to catch up. Currently, India is focused on its fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which remains in its design and development phase. With China already unveiling sixth-generation technology, India’s AMCA will likely lag behind in terms of both capability and production speed.
India’s Fighter Shortage: A Looming Crisis
The Tejas delays are even more concerning given the current shortage of fighter squadrons in the IAF. While India requires 42 squadrons to maintain air superiority, it currently operates only 30. This gap in squadrons has left the IAF increasingly dependent on outdated platforms and foreign jets, such as the French Rafale, to meet operational demands.
The slower-than-expected production of the Tejas has compounded this issue. Even with the induction of the LCA Mark-1A, the IAF is still far from fulfilling its requirements for a modern, self-reliant air force. Air Chief Marshal Singh has repeatedly highlighted this critical gap, underscoring that “technology delayed is technology denied.” As India struggles to scale its own fighter production, it risks losing out in the regional balance of power.
The Need for Private Sector Involvement: A Path to Speed Up Production
In response to these mounting challenges, Singh called for greater involvement of the private sector in defence manufacturing, which could help accelerate the production of key systems like the Tejas. He emphasized the importance of competition and the need for multiple sources of production to increase efficiency. “We need to get some private players in. We need to have competition. We need to have multiple sources available so that people are wary of losing their orders,” Singh stated.
Additionally, the IAF chief noted that increased investment in advanced manufacturing processes was necessary to boost production speed. “Production agencies have to invest in their advanced manufacturing processes so that the speed can increase. Upskilling their manpower and scaling production is essential,” he said. These changes would not only improve production rates but also reduce India’s dependence on foreign technology and systems.
A Shift Towards Self-Reliance: The Cost of Atmanirbharta
While private sector involvement may speed up production, Singh acknowledged that pursuing self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in defence would come at a cost. “We may have to spend more and buy at a higher rate if required, amortizing the R&D part and limited numbers will push the cost up, but will give the much-needed self-reliance,” he explained. However, the trade-off is one India must accept if it aims to build a robust and autonomous defence industry capable of meeting future challenges.
A Tejas Timeline: Unfulfilled Potential
• 1984: The Tejas program is initiated to replace aging aircraft.
• 2001: The first prototype of Tejas takes to the skies.
• 2016: Tejas enters active service with the IAF, though production has not met expectations.
• 2024: As of today, the first 40 Tejas aircraft have not been delivered, despite HAL’s initial promises of rapid production.
This timeline starkly contrasts with the rapid pace of China’s military advancements, underscoring the need for urgent reform in India’s defence procurement processes. While India is making strides toward self-reliance, the reality of delayed timelines threatens to undermine these efforts, especially as adversaries like China race ahead.
Racing Against Time
India’s struggle to fulfill its Tejas orders against the backdrop of China’s military strides highlights the urgency of the situation. The delays in Tejas production are not just about internal inefficiencies; they are a matter of national security. As China moves forward with its sixth-generation fighter jets, India’s air force risks falling behind in the technological race, leaving its defences vulnerable.