Key Points
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has publicly expressed serious concerns over delays in the Tejas MK1A fighter jet project.
- Despite contracts and promises, not a single Tejas MK1A has been delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as of May 2025.
- HAL had committed to delivering 11 jets by February 2025, but production has not started.
- The IAF Chief emphasized the need to move from “Make in India” to “Design in India” for true self-reliance and faster delivery.
- The original Tejas MK1 contract was signed in 2010, and a ₹48,000 crore deal for 83 MK1A jets was inked in 2021, but progress remains stalled.
- AP Singh warned that national security should not be compromised for self-reliance, noting India is falling behind China in defense preparedness.
New Delhi: In a rare and candid address at the CII Annual Business Summit in Delhi, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Indian Air Force, has openly criticized the slow pace of the Tejas MK1A fighter jet program, raising serious questions about the efficiency and accountability of India’s defense manufacturing sector.
“Contracts Are Signed, But Jets Never Arrive”
Air Chief Marshal Singh did not mince words as he highlighted the gap between promises and delivery. He revealed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had committed to delivering 11 Tejas MK1A fighter jets by February 2025. However, as of now, not a single aircraft has been handed over to the IAF.
“HAL is still not in mission mode. We need not just manufacturing, but also fast delivery with trust,” he asserted, emphasizing the urgent need for timely execution in defense projects.
From “Make in India” to “Design in India”
While acknowledging the importance of the “Make in India” initiative, the IAF Chief stressed that it is time to elevate ambitions to “Design in India.” He pointed out that true self-reliance means not just assembling or manufacturing, but innovating and designing advanced systems domestically.
“We cannot just talk about Make in India. Now is the time for Design in India as well,” Singh declared, urging the industry to take ownership of the entire value chain.
Delayed Contracts, Mounting Costs
The Tejas MK1 program has a long and troubled history. The first contract between the IAF and HAL was signed in December 2010 for ₹5,989 crore, which has since escalated to ₹6,542 crore. In 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a massive ₹48,000 crore contract for 83 Tejas MK1A jets, with deliveries scheduled to begin in March 2024. Yet, more than a year later, the Air Force has not received a single aircraft.
“Why Make Promises You Can’t Fulfill?”
Quoting Winston Churchill, Singh delivered a pointed message:
“Why make promises that you can’t fulfill? There comes a moment in everyone’s life when they get a chance to do something special according to their skills, but if you are not ready at that time, it is the biggest loss.”
He further lamented that the prototype for the next-generation Tejas MK2 has not even been unveiled, despite the urgent need for advanced combat capabilities.
National Security Cannot Wait
Air Chief Marshal Singh reiterated that while self-reliance is vital, it cannot come at the cost of national security. He warned that India’s delays have allowed China to surge ahead in defense technology, and now urgent steps are needed to close the gap.
“We had to be better than China, but now we are left behind and it is necessary to compensate for it,” he said, making a passionate appeal for immediate reforms and accountability.
The IAF Chief’s strong words have sent shockwaves through the defense industry, highlighting the pressing need for not just indigenous manufacturing, but also indigenous innovation and timely delivery. As India faces complex security challenges, the call for “Design in India” and a mission-mode approach to defense production has never been more urgent.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s forthright critique of the Tejas MK1A delays underscores a critical juncture for India’s defense sector. The message is clear: National security demands not just promises, but results delivered on time, every time.
