SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s ambition to develop a fighter jet fleet capable of competing with China’s rapidly advancing aviation capabilities is at a critical juncture. Defense analyst Ranesh Rajan, speaking to idrw.org, emphasized the need for at least two to three additional aviation giants alongside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The rationale is clear: HAL, despite its storied legacy, is overstretched and lacks the skilled manpower to execute multiple fighter jet programs at the pace required for India to close the gap with China.
HAL, India’s premier aerospace and defense company, has been the backbone of indigenous aircraft production, including the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, the company’s resources are spread thin across multiple projects, from fighter jets to helicopters, leading to delays and stretched timelines in project execution.
The complexity of modern fighter jet development demands not only investment but also a skilled workforce. Rajan highlighted that HAL currently lacks the necessary skilled manpower to push forward major programs like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) at the pace required to match regional competitors.
With China rapidly advancing its fighter jet technology, India needs to accelerate its own development cycles. Multiple companies could work in parallel on different projects or aspects of the same project, fostering competition, innovation, and faster delivery.
Each new company could specialize in different areas – one focusing on stealth technology, another on avionics, and another on propulsion systems, thereby creating a synergy that could push forward India’s aerospace capabilities comprehensively.
Diversifying the responsibility of fighter jet programs across several entities would mitigate the risk associated with relying solely on one company. If one project faces setbacks, the others could continue unhindered.
Rajan emphasized the need for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to commit firmly to newly developed aircraft from the outset. The hesitation seen with the Tejas Mk1, where the IAF was reluctant to order beyond 40 units due to various shortcomings, should not be repeated. Firm orders for AMCA and TEDBF would signal trust and encourage faster, more confident development.
Creating new aerospace giants would require significant government support, both financially and through policy. It would also necessitate attracting or training a large pool of skilled engineers and technicians. here’s a risk of redundancy if not managed well. Clear roles, collaboration frameworks, and shared resources would be crucial to avoid wasting resources. Building new institutions to the level of HAL would take time and considerable investment, both of which are at a premium in the current strategic context.
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