🚨 'Not a Single Project On Time!' 😤 IAF Chief's Explosive Rant on Defence Delays 💣
- MediaFx
- 20 hours ago
- 2 min read
TL;DR: 😤 Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has dropped a truth bomb 💣 on India's defence sector, slamming chronic delays in projects like the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. He revealed that not a single project has met its deadline, calling out unrealistic timelines and a lack of urgency. Singh's fiery speech urges immediate reforms to ensure our armed forces aren't left hanging. 🇮🇳✈️
🛑 "Why Promise What Can't Be Delivered?" – IAF Chief's Blunt Question 😠
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?"
✈️ Tejas Mk1A: A Case Study in Delays 🕒
Singh specifically pointed to the Tejas Mk1A 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.
🏭 HAL Under Fire: "No Confidence" in Meeting Deadlines 🔥
The Air Chief didn't hold back in criticizing Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). He expressed "no confidence" in HAL's ability to meet the Indian Air Force's requirements, accusing the state-owned company of lacking a "mission mode" approach. Singh highlighted that HAL's attitude of "ho jayega" (it will happen) is insufficient when national security is at stake.
🧩 Supply Chain Woes: Engines and Components Missing 🛠️
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.
🛡️ Operational Readiness at Risk: IAF's Squadron Strength Dwindling 📉
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.
🧠 MediaFx Opinion: Time for a People's-Centric Defence Approach ✊
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. ✊
