R&D loses relevance if it does not meet timelines, says Air Chief

Indian Air Force chief emphasizes the importance of meeting R&D timelines to maintain relevance amid delays and fighter shortages.

Research and Development loses relevance if it does not meet timelines, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) A.P. Singh said on Tuesday (January 7, 2025), pointing that the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) was conceived in 1984 and today in 2025, they still do not have the first 40 aircraft. His comments come amid the crisis the IAF is facing, in terms of depleting fighter strength and huge delays in development and delivery of indigenous fighters.

“R&D loses its relevance in case it is not able to meet timelines. Technology delayed is technology denied. There has to be an increased aptitude for acceptance of risks involved and failures in R&D. There is an amount of risk inherent to R&D — and we should cater to absorb it a certain degree. A greater leeway should be available to researchers, there may be failures — what is important is that we learn from them and move on,” ACM Singh said while speaking at the 21st Subroto Mukerjee seminar organised by the Centre for Air Power Studies. “Atma Nirbharta will come at a cost and we should accept it — we may have to spend more and buy at a higher rate if required — amortising of the R&D part and limited numbers will push the cost up — but will give the much needed self-reliance.”

“The world today is in a precarious position dominated by conflicts and contests. We have our own security concerns on the western and northern borders with increased militarisation by China and Pakistan. China is investing heavily in its air force — the recent unveiling of its new stealth aircraft is a case in point,” he said.

Underscoring the need to have capacity and the need to be flexible, ACM Singh said production agencies should invest in advanced manufacturing processes so that the speed can increase. Whatever they do, the scale of production has to go up, he added.

In this line, he referred to the LCA programme which has seen huge development and manufacturing delays. “Actually we should go back to 1984 when we first conceived that aircraft. First aircraft flew in 2001 – 17 years. Then the induction started another 15 years later, in 2016. Today we are in 2025, I do not have the first 40 aircraft also. This is the production capability,” the Air Chief recounted the timeline. “We need to do something. I am very convinced that we need to get some private players in. We need to have competition, we need to have multiple sources available so that people are wary of losing orders... Otherwise, things will not change.”

End-December, China unveiled two stealth fighter jets adding to the two fifth generation jets already inducted. Meanwhile, the IAF is currently at 31 fighter squadrons, and newer inductions lined up the LCA-MK1A delayed while the LCA-MK2 and the fifth generation fighter are in the pipeline.

If our vision is to be developed country by 2047, which needs to find a place in the world, aerospace sector will be a major contributor towards that, the Air Chief stressed, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi referring to defence and aerospace sectors as two important pillars for making India ‘Atmanirbhar’ at the launch of C-295 transport aircraft manufacturing facility.