Warplane maker HAL promises faster delivery after IAF chief's rebuke
What's the story
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India's state-owned fighter jet manufacturer, has promised to speed up the delivery of warplanes.
The pledge comes after Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, criticized HAL for delays in delivering Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets.
The IAF has placed an order for 83 of these aircraft with HAL under a ₹364.68 billion ($4.20 billion) contract, with initial deliveries due in February 2024.
Delivery delays
IAF chief expresses dissatisfaction with HAL
Currently, the IAF is operating with only 31 fighter squadrons, short of its target of 42. The shortfall comes amid regional tensions with China and Pakistan.
The delays in aircraft delivery have been attributed to supply chain issues affecting engine deliveries from General Electric (GE).
HAL Chairman DK Sunil acknowledged the air chief's concerns, saying, "The concern of the air chief is understandable. Of course, his squadron strengths are going down."
Public criticism
Viral video captures IAF chief's rebuke of HAL
A video from the Aero India air show showed Air Chief Marshal Singh scolding HAL officials for failing to keep their delivery promises.
He said, "At the moment I am just not confident of HAL," pointing out that none of the promised 11 Mk-1As were ready.
"HAL is our own company, we all have worked there...I have also served there... I find that we are just not in mission mode...everything is ho jaayega [it will happen]," Singh was heard saying.
International support
Aging fighter jets being phased out
At the air show, India's defense production secretary, Sanjeev Kumar, promised production lines at HAL and GE have stabilized, and that the Indian company will be able to deliver 16 to 24 aircraft this fiscal year.
The Air Force is in dire need of new aircraft to maintain its operational capability as aging fighter jets such as the MiG-21, MiG-27, and Jaguar are being phased out.