‘Not A Single Project Completed On Time’: Air Force Chief Flags Defence Project Delays

New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Amapreet Singh on Thursday expressed serious concerns over prolonged delays in India’s defence procurement programmes, particularly those tied to indigenous manufacturing, warning that missed deadlines and overambitious promises are hampering the Indian Air Force’s operational preparedness.

Speaking at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025, the Air Chief did not hold back. “Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Not a single project I can think of is completed on time. Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved?” he said, addressing an audience that included Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Highlighting the persistent lags in crucial domestic programmes, the Air Chief pointed to the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet project, awarded under a ₹48,000 crore deal to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2021. The Indian Air Force has yet to receive a single aircraft from the 83 ordered, with deliveries initially expected to commence in March 2024.

“Deliveries of Tejas Mk1 are delayed. The prototype of Tejas Mk2 is yet to roll out. There is no prototype yet of the stealth AMCA fighter,” he said, drawing attention to the ripple effects of such setbacks across other major aviation platforms.

His remarks underscore the growing frustration within the IAF over the slow pace of defence indigenisation, even as the government continues to promote its ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The Air Chief stressed the need to move beyond just manufacturing domestically, urging a deeper partnership between the military and industry.

“We cannot just talk about producing in India, we need to talk about designing. We need to have trust between the forces and industry. We need to be very open. Once we have committed to something, we should deliver. Air Force is trying to do its best to make in India,” he said.

He also called for a sense of immediacy, arguing that long-term goals must not overshadow current operational needs. “We have to be now-ready to be future-ready. In 10 years, we will have more output from industry, but what we need today, we need today. We need to quickly get our act together,” he added. “Wars are won by empowering our forces.”

Referencing “Operation Sindoor,” a recent joint-services exercise, the Air Chief emphasised the rapid evolution of warfare and the importance of staying technologically agile. “Operation Sindoor, as it was told by the Chief of Naval Staff, the character of war is changing. Every day, we are finding new technologies coming in. Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on,” he said.

The Air Chief’s forthright assessment sends a clear message: to ensure national security and readiness, India’s defence sector must confront and resolve systemic issues of delivery, design, and accountability.