IAF chief flags delays: We sign contracts despite knowing it won't come on time
IAF chief flags delays: We sign contracts despite knowing it won't come on time
M.U.H
29/05/202534
Highlighting the importance of speeding up the defence procurement process, Air Force Chief Amar Preet Singh urged the industry not to make promises it cannot deliver on time. Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Force Chief admitted that "timeline is a big issue."
His remarks came nearly three months after he publicly expressed displeasure over the delay in the delivery of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
"So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we must look at. Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up, but we just sign the contract," the Air Force chief said.
"In the next 10 years, the Air Force will require more input from the industry, but we also need to act today and get into quick Make in India programs so that we can achieve the ‘Now Ready’ part of it, while ‘Design in India’ continues to progress in the near future," he added.
He also stressed the changing nature and landscape of warfare with the advent of drone technology and highlighted the need for timely induction of new technologies into the Armed Forces.
"The character of war is changing. Every day, we are finding new technologies coming in. Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on," he said.
He further highlighted how technology is making significant advances in modern warfare, citing Operation Sindoor as a clear indicator of the future direction and requirements.
The clearance of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for participation by private companies marks a significant milestone and demonstrates the government’s confidence in the private sector, paving the way for greater industry involvement in defence projects.
As the Indian-made air defence system, drones and missiles stole the show during the four-day conflict with Pakistan, Singh stressed the importance of being self-dependent, saying, "The current situation in the world has made us realise that Aatmanirbharta is the key, and we need to be focus on our own defence platforms for our needs."
Hailing the "professional" coordination between security agencies and armed forces, Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh called Operation Sindoor a "national victory."
Addressing the CII Business Summit, he said, "We were taking the path of truth, I think, God was with us also in this."
"This Operation Sindoor that we've been talking about, it's a national victory. I thank each and every Indian. I am sure, every Indian wanted....was looking towards this victory," the IAF chief added.
The Air Force chief said that when one is fighting for a true cause, everything comes together seamlessly, as was evident during the recently concluded Operation Sindoor.
"Like it has been said again and again that this was an operation that was executed in a very professional manner by everybody, all the agencies, all the forces, we all came together...and when truth is with you, then everything happens on its own," he said.
The session underscored the critical importance of strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem in alignment with the government’s vision of strategic autonomy and Atmanirbharta.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, noted, “India is, was, and will always be a maritime nation—not just by design or geography, but also by destiny in terms of our future growth. Today, India is realising its rich maritime potential, with apex-level decisions and policies reflecting this broader maritime renaissance.”
Addressing the larger strategic goals, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh highlighted the government’s ongoing reforms aimed at improving the defence manufacturing ecosystem, including faster licensing processes to accelerate industry growth. “India’s defence vision is intrinsically linked to Atmanirbharta, strategic autonomy, and the broader aspiration of a Viksit Bharat with expanded GDP contribution from defence manufacturing,” he stated.
