IAF unveils glide path to expedite capability enhancement | India News

NEW DELHI: An in depth roadmap for the “all-round accelerated capability enhancement” of IAF has been chalked out by a high-powered committee to plug present operational gaps in a time-bound method, with larger participation from the non-public sector to complement ongoing efforts of DRDO and defence PSUs.
The “key thrust areas” recognized vary from progressively rising the variety of fighter squadrons, which is at the moment down to 30 regardless of a sanctioned energy of 42.5, to induction of further “force-enablers” like airborne early-warning and management plane and mid-air refuellers in addition to a big selection of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.
Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who chaired the committee, offered the report to defence minister Rajnath Singh on Monday, within the presence of IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, vice chief Air Marshal S P Dharkar and others.
The report comes at a time when China is flaunting sixth technology fighter prototypes, and is predicted to ship a minimum of 40 J-35A stealth fifth-generation jets to Pakistan. India, in distinction, is floundering to even produce the home-grown fourth-generation Tejas jet in ample numbers.
The report has detailed a “glide path” to rising the variety of fighter squadrons, which features a international OEM (unique gear producer) tying up with an Indian associate to arrange a manufacturing line right here.
“While HAL’s three production lines for light-weight Tejas will continue, this will be a parallel production line for a medium-weight fighter,” an official stated. This includes the pending mission to manufacture 114 new 4.5-generation fighters, at an preliminary estimate of Rs 1.2 lakh crore, with international collaboration.
The report underscores “the need for impetus to enhance ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the aerospace domain with the private sector complementing the effort of defence PSUs and DRDO”.