Expressing concern over the Indian Air Force presently having solely 31 energetic fighter squadrons in opposition to its licensed energy of 42, a parliamentary committee beneficial the Defense Ministry to extend production of Tejas and expedite the procurement of contracted fighter aircraft. Is. This problem has been considered in the report of the Standing Committee on Defense Ministry headed by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, introduced in Parliament on 17 December 2024.
The Committee has been instructed that the licensed energy of the Indian Air Force is 42 fighter squadrons, however at current it has 31 energetic fighter squadrons. The Air Force additionally has an growing old fleet of different aircraft together with MiG-21, MiG-23 and MiG-27, that are going to be out of service quickly, which will result in a pointy discount in the squadron energy of the pressure.
According to the report, the committee was additionally knowledgeable that the Indian Air Force has acquired two squadrons of Tejas Mk 1 and have began utilizing them and it had participated in the lately concluded worldwide train Tarang Shakti. The committee additionally discovered that the Tejas MK-1A program has been delayed as a consequence of design and improvement points. The Defense Ministry additionally instructed the committee that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has been requested to extend production of Tejas.
Tejas is India’s newest and all-weather fighter aircraft which is being ready for the Air Force. According to stories, the Indian Air Force has additionally made progress in the procurement of extra 97 Light Combat (LAC MKI -IA) aircraft, for which Acceptance of Requirement (AON) has been authorised and Request for Proposal (RFP) issued. Has been completed.
The Committee was knowledgeable that with these acquisitions, the Indian Air Force will have 220 LCA Mk-I and Mk-IA aircraft. The committee has beneficial the ministry to sensitize Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to extend the production of Tejas in order that the operational position of the Air Force is just not affected as a consequence of discount in the quantity of squadrons of fighter aircraft. fashion="text-align: justify;">On the topic of energy of officers in the Air Force, the Committee has been knowledgeable that as of 01 Oct 24, there have been 11,916 officers (besides Medical/Dental department) in opposition to 12,929 posts, which reveals a lower of 1,013. The ministry stated that the admission plans have been redesigned in order that the quantity can regularly be introduced equal to the authorised capability.
