SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF), a critical component of India’s defense strategy, has faced significant challenges in maintaining and modernizing its fleet over the last two decades. A closer look at the fighter jet orders during two successive decades under different governments reveals a pattern of delays, cancellations, and a struggle to keep pace with the rapid advancements in aerial warfare technology.
During the ten years from 2004 to 2014, under the leadership of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), the IAF managed to order 122 fighter jets. This included 82 Su-30MKI, These Russian-made jets were part of a long-standing acquisition program to bolster the IAF’s air superiority capabilities. The Su-30MKI, with its dual-seat configuration, has become a backbone of the force, known for its versatility in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles.
40 LCA Tejas MK-1 an indigenous project, aimed at replacing the aging MiG-21 fleet. The MK-1 version was the first step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in fighter jet production.
However, this period was marked by delays in the Tejas program and the infamous cancellation of the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender, which was intended to acquire 126 fighters but ended with no acquisition after years of negotiation.
The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, with Narendra Modi at the helm, has continued the effort to modernise the IAF, albeit with its own set of challenges and achievements. One of the headline acquisitions, these 36 French jets were procured under an emergency purchase in 2016, bypassing the earlier MMRCA fiasco. The Rafale brought advanced technology and capabilities to the IAF, including beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles and significant ground attack capabilities.
83 LCA Tejas MK-1A An upgrade over the initial MK-1, the MK-1A variant includes more advanced avionics, an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and improved weaponry. This order reflects a continuous push towards indigenization and self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
12 Su-30MKI Additional orders for these jets were placed to replace aircraft lost in accidents and to maintain the operational fleet strength.
Despite these acquisitions, the decade from 2014 to 2024 has been criticized for not doing enough to reach the IAF’s sanctioned strength of 42 fighter squadrons. The number of operational squadrons has actually decreased to around 31, due to phasing out older aircraft without sufficient replacements, delays in indigenous programs like the Tejas MK-2, and the slow progress on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Both decades have seen India falling behind in terms of fleet size and technological edge compared to regional peers like China and Pakistan, who have aggressively modernized their air forces.