A committee was formed by the government to look into the overall capability development of the IAF.
Amid the growing airpower of China and Pakistan and the shortage of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry has set up a high-level committee.
The committee, headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, will focus on overall capability development of the Air Force through indigenous design, development, and acquisition projects.
The Indian Air Force made detailed presentations to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in the national capital in November 2024, leading to the formation of the committee.
In the next two to three months, the committee is expected to submit its report to the Defence Minister, containing a detailed assessment of the force’s requirements.
The Indian Air Force has been able to induct only 36 new Rafale jets under the 4.5 plus generation fighter aircraft.
It aims to get an adequate number of these jets mainly to deal with the threat posed by China, which is also providing weapons and equipment to the Pakistan Air Force.
The Indian Air Force’s plan to acquire over 110 4.5-plus generation fighter aircraft has been pending, and the committee may propose addressing this need through indigenous development.
