New Delhi: Apna Punjab Media: While there is a shortage of fighter planes in the Indian Air Force, there is a delay in handing over the domestically manufactured Tejas fighter planes to the Air Force. Air Marshal AP Singh, Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force, said in this regard today, “The goal of self-reliance cannot be achieved at the cost of the country’s security.” He was speaking at a seminar here. Air Marshal AP Singh said, “Self-reliance is being discussed everywhere but it cannot be achieved at the cost of the country’s security.” The security of the country comes first. Units and private industries together should take us on that path, not divert us from the path of self-reliance. Because when it comes to the security of the country, if we do not get the systems or weapons or things that we need to survive in today’s world, then it becomes necessary to deviate from this path of self-reliance.
“The capability gap is widening given the pace at which our adversaries are using new technologies to increase the number of weapons and other war equipment,” the Air Force vice chief said. “Technological progress is surprising us with its speed.” The impact of technological investment in warfare has made it clear that the strategy and implementation of warfare requires agility and flexibility. His comments come two months after the Defense Ministry asked Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL) to deliver 18 Tejas Mark-1A fighter aircraft to the Army by March 2025. ‘Tribune Prakash Group’ had published news in this regard in its May 16 issue.
HAL, headquartered in Bengaluru, is yet to deliver the first batch of 83 Tejas fighter aircraft ordered by the Defense Ministry. The order worth Rs 48,000 crore was given to HAL in February 2021 and three years after the agreement was finalized or in March the same year, HAL was to deliver the first batch of indigenous fighter jets to the Indian Air Force. The Defense Ministry, after holding a review meeting, had asked HAL to meet the deadline of 2025 for the supply of 18 warplanes.
