SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is facing one of its most significant challenges in recent times, with a noticeable decline in its combat strength, which has sparked discussions and criticisms about the government’s, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s, approach to defense strategy. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent comments and the broader narrative around the IAF’s capabilities have put the spotlight on this issue.
The IAF has been grappling with a reduction in its fighter squadrons, currently hovering around 30 when the sanctioned strength is 42. This shortfall is attributed to several factors Many of the IAF’s aircraft are at the end of their service life, with delays in acquiring new jets or upgrading existing ones. Projects like the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) and delays in the Tejas program have contributed to the gap in combat strength.
International dependencies for defense hardware have been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and the global health crisis, affecting timely deliveries.
Critics argue that there seems to be a lack of a cohesive, long-term strategic vision from the Modi government regarding the IAF’s modernization. While there have been significant steps towards self-reliance, like the push for indigenous projects, the transition has been slower than necessary to keep pace with the IAF’s operational needs.
Rajnath Singh’s tenure has seen efforts to streamline procurement processes. However, the pace at which new fighters are being inducted or old ones upgraded does not match the rate of fleet retirement. The indecision on projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) engine co-development further illustrates this.
There’s a debate on whether the focus has been more on the quantity of acquisitions (like the emergency procurement of Rafale jets) rather than a balanced approach that also emphasizes quality, upgrades, and indigenous development. This has led to questions about the strategic direction of defense spending.
The push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) in defense is commendable, but critics point out that the transition is not fast enough to counter the immediate decline in combat strength. Balancing between fostering domestic capabilities and ensuring immediate operational readiness seems to be a challenge.