IAF Chief A P Singh Advocates for Homegrown Defence Systems; Targets Annual Production of 35-40 Military Aircraft

New Delhi, February 28: In a strong push towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh emphasized on Friday that the Indian Air Force (IAF) is determined to prioritize Indigenous systems, even if they deliver marginally lower performance than global counterparts.

Addressing the Chanakya Dialogues conclave, which was themed "Bharat 2047: Atmanirbhar In War," Air Chief Marshal Singh stated clearly that the IAF would prefer domestically produced equipment, provided it delivers at least 85 to 90 percent of the performance available internationally.

"Even if a homegrown system gives me slightly lesser performance—say 90 percent or 85 percent compared to what's available in the global market—we will still opt for the homegrown system," Singh remarked. "This is the only way we can overcome our constant dependence on external sources."

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Aim for Robust Indigenous Production Capacity​

The Air Chief Marshal highlighted India's critical need to manufacture at least 35 to 40 military aircraft annually, stressing that, although challenging, targets are achievable through dedicated efforts. He underlined the urgency of developing this capability domestically to replace India's aging fighter fleets.

Singh noted that state-owned aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already committed to producing 24 units per year of the LCA Mk1A fighter jets starting next year. Additionally, considering the production of other aircraft like the Sukhoi, HAL alone could produce about 30 aircraft annually.

He also pointed out the potential contribution of private players in India's aerospace industry, suggesting that if they join the "Make in India" initiative, they could add another 12 to 18 aircraft per year.

"We are approaching the target of 35 to 40 aircraft per year. It’s entirely possible," he asserted.

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Importance of Domestic Capabilities for Long-term Warfare​

Air Chief Marshal Singh highlighted the strategic advantages of domestic manufacturing and stressed the need for India to develop robust in-country production capacities to withstand protracted conflicts.

"To effectively handle a long war, we must build a production rate capable of meeting sustained weapon requirements," Singh said. He emphasized the importance of having confidence that Indian industries could reliably deliver the necessary equipment during prolonged conflicts.

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IAF Embraces AI and Automation Technologies​

On the technological front, Singh mentioned that the IAF is actively integrating advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and automation. The Air Force has significantly automated several critical processes, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.

"A considerable portion of our systems and prognostic operations have already undergone automation," Singh explained. "This move saves significant time and provides efficient, reliable solutions."

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Air Chief Marshal Singh’s remarks reflect the IAF's long-term strategic vision to build indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities. This vision aligns with India's broader goal of achieving comprehensive self-reliance in defense by 2047.

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