Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh, Chief of Air Staff, on Thursday expressed grave concerns over persistent delays in defence acquisition projects, stating that “not a single project” has been completed on time. His remarks, made at the CII Business Summit, come as his first public comments following the recent four-day military clashes between India and Pakistan, where he lauded “Operation Sindoor” as a “national victory.”
While the Air Chief Marshal did not provide specific details or a timeline for the delayed projects, his criticism underscores a long-standing issue impacting the Indian Air Force (IAF), particularly with respect to the delayed delivery of Tejas light combat jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
“Timelines is a big issue; that is where the ‘vachan’ (commitment) part comes in. Once a timeline is given… not a single project that I can think of, has been completed on time,” Air Chief Marshal Singh stated. He urged a re-evaluation of current practices, questioning why commitments are made for unachievable timelines. “While signing the contract itself, sometimes, we are sure that it is not going to come up. But, we just sign the contract and see what can be done after that. Obviously, then the process gets vitiated,” he added.
Operation Sindoor
The Air Chief Marshal began his address by hailing “Operation Sindoor” as a “national victory.” Under this operation, the IAF played a pivotal role in destroying nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on May 7, in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack. All subsequent responses to Pakistani offensives were also carried out under this operation.
“We were taking the path of truth, I think, God was with us also in this,” he remarked, crediting the success to a “whole-of-nation approach” involving all armed forces and agencies. “I am sure, every Indian contributed towards this victory… when truth is with you, then everything happens on its own,” he emphasised. He stressed the need for this “whole-of-nation mission mode” to accelerate and produce results in military modernisation.
Lessons from conflict and future preparedness
Air Chief Marshal Singh stated that Operation Sindoor provided the Indian armed forces with a “clear idea” of their future direction and needs. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who also addressed the gathering, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the changing character of warfare and the rapid influx of new technologies.
The IAF chief also welcomed the recent clearance by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for the “execution model” to design and produce India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). He lauded the equal opportunities extended to both private and public sectors under this model, calling it a “very big step” that demonstrates the nation’s confidence in private industry.
Emphasis on ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbharta
While acknowledging past scepticism towards the Indian industry, Air Chief Marshal Singh noted a significant shift over the last decade, stating that a “rap on our knuckle” led them to “look inward.” He affirmed that the current global situation has reinforced that “Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) is the only solution.”
However, he stressed the urgency of meeting present needs, urging for “quick Make in India programmes” to ensure immediate readiness, even as long-term design and development continue. He also called for greater trust and open communication between the armed forces and the industry, likening them to “links” in a “bigger chain” where each must ensure they are not a “weak link.”
(With PTI Inputs)