SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India’s largest private-sector defense manufacturer, is signaling its intent to play a pivotal role in addressing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pressing fighter jet shortage. Jayant Damodar Patil, L&T’s head of aerospace and defense, recently hinted at the company’s interest in establishing a production line for manufacturing indigenous fighter jets, though he refrained from specifying which aircraft might be involved. This statement comes amid growing urgency within the IAF, underscored by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh’s candid remarks that the “shoe is beyond pinching” when it comes to the force’s dwindling squadron strength—a situation demanding immediate action.
The IAF currently faces a shortfall of nearly 200 fighter jets, with its operational squadrons hovering around 31 against a sanctioned strength of 42. With 250 more aircraft—MiG-21s, Jaguars, and early Mirage 2000s—slated for retirement by 2040, the IAF requires approximately 450 jets over the next 15 years. This stark reality has prompted the Air Chief to repeatedly emphasize the need for accelerated procurement and production, a call that Patil sees as an opportunity for the private sector to step up. “The shoe is pinching now, and that’s the reason the Air Force Chief has spoken out the way he has,” Patil remarked, suggesting that this urgency could “enhance the role which the private sector is already playing” in programs like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
While Patil avoided naming specific jets, the Tejas program is the most likely candidate for L&T’s ambitions. The IAF has ordered 180 Tejas Mk1A jets (83 + 97), with deliveries expected to begin in 2025 and conclude within seven years. Additionally, the Tejas MkII, a medium-weight 4.5-generation fighter, is projected to enter production by 2030, aiming for 120 units by 2040. L&T’s Precision Engineering and Systems unit, which reported a 41% revenue surge to ?46.10 billion ($548.3 million) in FY 2024, already supplies critical components like wings and fuselage sections for HAL’s aircraft. Expanding into full-scale assembly could leverage this expertise, positioning L&T as a key player in India’s aerospace ecosystem.
The Air Chief’s urgency also reflects deeper systemic issues, as defense analysts point out. Sorav Jha, a noted commentator, highlighted “unresolved issues” in planning and execution during a recent discussion. “Perspective planning documents exist—like the Long-Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP) and service acquisition plans—but the real issue is how military manufacturing works,” Jha observed. Programs like the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA), which faltered over a decade ago, and delays in indigenous efforts have left the IAF playing catch-up. The failure to anticipate production bottlenecks and supplement foreign acquisitions with local alternatives has exacerbated the current crunch.
However, challenges loom. HAL’s monopoly on fighter jet production, coupled with its capacity constraints, may spark turf battles. Establishing a new line requires significant investment, technology transfer, and a skilled workforce—areas where L&T’s ?548 million aerospace revenue offers a foundation but not a guarantee. Moreover, the IAF’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets remains in limbo, complicating the mix of indigenous and foreign platforms.
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