Expressing concern over the Indian Air Force currently having only 31 active fighter squadrons against its authorized strength of 42, a parliamentary committee recommended the Defense Ministry to increase production of Tejas and expedite the procurement of contracted fighter aircraft. Is. This issue has been taken into consideration in the report of the Standing Committee on Defense Ministry headed by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, presented in Parliament on 17 December 2024.
The Committee has been told that the authorized strength of the Indian Air Force is 42 fighter squadrons, but at present it has 31 active fighter squadrons. The Air Force also has an aging fleet of other aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27, which are going to be out of service soon, which will lead to a sharp reduction in the squadron strength of the force.
According to the report, the committee was also told that the Indian Air Force has received two squadrons of Tejas Mk 1 and these have started being used and it had participated in the recently concluded international exercise Tarang Shakti. The committee also found that the Tejas MK-1A program has been delayed due to design and development issues. The Defense Ministry also told the committee that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been asked to increase production of Tejas.
Tejas is India’s latest and all-weather fighter aircraft which is being prepared for the Air Force. According to reports, the Indian Air Force has also made progress in the procurement of additional 97 Light Combat (LAC MKI -IA) aircraft, for which Acceptance of Requirement (AON) has been approved and Request for Proposal (RFP) issued. Has been done.
The Committee was informed that with these acquisitions, the Indian Air Force will have 220 LCA Mk-I and Mk-IA aircraft. The committee has recommended the ministry to sensitize Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to increase the production of Tejas so that the operational role of the Air Force is not affected due to reduction in the number of squadrons of fighter aircraft. style="text-align: justify;">On the subject of strength of officers in the Air Force, the Committee has been informed that as of 01 Oct 24, there were 11,916 officers (except Medical/Dental branch) against 12,929 posts, which shows a decrease of 1,013. The ministry said that the admission plans have been redesigned so that the number can gradually be brought equal to the approved capacity.
