SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In his first press briefing as Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh unveiled an ambitious and forward-looking roadmap for the Indian Air Force (IAF), aiming to transform it into a fully indigenous force by 2047. Addressing the media ahead of the 92nd Air Force Day celebrations, Singh articulated a vision that aligns with India’s broader goal of self-reliance, or Atmanirbhar Bharat, in defence.
By the time India marks its centennial year of independence, the IAF aspires to have its entire inventory—aircraft, weapons systems, and supporting infrastructure—designed, developed, produced, and maintained domestically, heralding a new era of technological sovereignty and operational independence.
Air Chief Marshal Singh’s announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the IAF, which has historically relied on a mix of foreign and indigenous platforms to meet its operational needs. While the IAF currently operates a diverse fleet—including Russian Sukhoi Su-30 MKIs, French Rafales, and the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas—it has often faced challenges related to dependency on foreign suppliers for spares, maintenance, and upgrades. Singh’s roadmap seeks to address these vulnerabilities by prioritizing indigenisation across all facets of the IAF’s operations.
The year 2047, marking the 100th anniversary of India’s independence, is not just a symbolic milestone but a strategic deadline for the IAF to achieve complete indigenisation. Singh emphasized that this ambitious goal would require a concerted effort involving collaboration with domestic defence industries, research institutions, and the private sector, alongside a robust push for innovation within the IAF itself.
The IAF’s journey towards indigenisation is already underway, with several homegrown initiatives gaining momentum. The LCA Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has emerged as a cornerstone of the IAF’s modernisation efforts. The IAF has already inducted several Tejas Mk-1 variants into its squadrons and has placed orders for the more advanced Mk-1A version, with plans to integrate the Tejas Mk-2 in the coming years.
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