The much-awaited report of the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was presented to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on March 3. The Committee, Headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and established in December 2024, was tasked with addressing the acute shortage of fighter aircraft and other force multipliers while outlining a roadmap to bridge critical operational gaps in the force urgently.
“The Committee has identified key thrust areas and recommended short, medium, and long-term implementation strategies to achieve the desired capability enhancement goals of the IAF in an optimal manner,” the Defence Ministry stated.
The report also underscores the importance of fostering ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in the aerospace sector by integrating private industry efforts with those of Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
“The Defence Minister appreciated the Committee’s work and directed that the recommendations be pursued in a time-bound manner,” the statement added.
The Committee was formed at the Defence Minister’s directive to assess the challenges and propose a clear, holistic action plan. Chaired by the Defence Secretary with the Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal S P Dharkar, Secretary, Defence Production, Sanjeev Kumar, Chairman DRDO, Samir V Kamat, DG Acquisition, Samir Kumar Sinha, as members and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh as Member Secretary.
Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh presented the Empowered Committee’s report on #IAF Capability Enhancement to Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh today. Chaired by the Defence Secretary, the Committee identified key thrust areas and recommended short, medium & long-term… pic.twitter.com/WVPTtqhnPb
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) March 3, 2025
Crippling Gaps in Fighter Strength
The IAF currently operates with just 30 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42.5, which is essential for countering the dual threat from China and Pakistan. Despite this glaring shortfall, multiple procurement and induction programs have remained stalled for over a decade.
The induction of the indigenous Tejas aircraft is effectively on hold due to delays in the supply of U.S.-made engines, while the long-pending procurement of 114 new 4.5-generation fighters remains unresolved. One of the Committee’s primary challenges was to break this logjam and accelerate decision-making on this critical project.
HAL Delays and Need for Production Ramp-up
The delay in the delivery of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has drawn sharp criticism from Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh. He expressed frustration and emphasized the urgent need to ramp up domestic aircraft production to replace ageing fleets.
Singh stressed that India must manufacture at least 35-40 military aircraft annually to meet operational requirements. “If private industry joins the ‘Make in India’ initiative, we could add another 12-18 aircraft per year. Reaching that number is possible,” he explained.
Ensuring Wartime Readiness
A prolonged conflict demands substantial stockpiles and a robust capacity to replenish supplies rapidly. Singh highlighted the necessity of self-sufficiency in wartime production.
“We must be prepared for a long, protracted war. This requires a production rate capable of sustaining weapon supplies during conflict,” he stated.
He underscored that in a sustained war scenario, India must rely on a combination of existing reserves and a resilient domestic defence industry to maintain operational readiness.
The Committee’s recommendations are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the IAF’s modernization strategy, ensuring that the force remains capable of meeting evolving security challenges.
Ravi Shankar
