🚨 'Not a Single Project On Time!' 😤 IAF Chief's Explosive Rant on Defence Delays 💣
At the CII Annual Business Summit on May 29, 2025, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh didn't mince words. He declared that "not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time", highlighting a systemic issue in India's defence procurement. Singh questioned the practice of signing contracts with unrealistic timelines, stating, "Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved?"
Singh specifically pointed to the Tejas Mk1AÂ project, where 83 jets were ordered in 2021, with deliveries expected to start in March 2024. As of now, not a single aircraft has been delivered. Singh expressed frustration over the lack of progress, noting that even promises of delivering jets without engines haven't been met.
The Air Chief didn't hold back in criticizing Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). He expressed "no confidence"Â in HAL's ability to meet the Indian Air Force's requirements, accusing the state-owned company of lacking a "mission mode"Â approach. Singh highlighted that HAL's attitude of "ho jayega" (it will happen)Â is insufficient when national security is at stake.
Delays aren't solely HAL's fault. The F404 engines from General Electric (GE), crucial for the Tejas Mk1A, have faced supply chain issues, with deliveries postponed multiple times. Additionally, export restrictions on certain components, like engine charge amplifiers from Denmark, have further hampered progress.
The Indian Air Force currently operates 31 fighter squadrons, below the sanctioned strength of 42. Delays in projects like the Tejas Mk1A exacerbate this shortfall, potentially compromising India's air defence capabilities amid regional tensions.
The repeated delays in defence projects like the Tejas Mk1A reflect deeper systemic issues. A working-class, socialist perspective urges us to question the priorities of our defence sector. Are we focusing too much on high-tech projects at the expense of timely delivery and operational readiness? It's time to democratize defence planning, ensuring transparency, accountability, and a focus on the real needs of our armed forces and citizens. Let's build a defence ecosystem that serves the people, not just the profit motives of big corporations. ✊
#DefenceDelays
#TejasMk1A
#HAL
#IAF
#SupplyChainIssues
Sources
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