The North News
New Delhi, February 12
The Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief has expressed serious concerns over delays in the delivery of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, in a rare public display of frustration at the ongoing Aero India show in Bengaluru. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was inspecting an aircraft on Monday when he was caught on video telling officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that he had “no confidence” in the state-owned aerospace company. The video, posted by defence news outlet National Defence, captured Singh voicing his dissatisfaction with HAL’s assurances, according to the media reports.
“I can only tell you what our requirements and our worries are,” he said. “At the moment, I am just not confident of HAL, which is a very wrong thing to happen,” the news outlet India Today reported. The IAF has ordered 83 Tejas Mk1A jets to address a critical shortfall in its fighter squadrons, but the delays have raised concerns about operational preparedness. India Today reported that Singh’s remarks reflected growing impatience within the force over the slow pace of deliveries.
According to The Hindustan Times, Singh was also heard criticising HAL’s repeated assurances without tangible progress. “‘Everything is driven by ‘ho jayega’ (will happen) and ‘karenge’ (we will do it)!’” he remarked, underscoring the IAF’s frustration with what it sees as vague commitments rather than concrete timelines. The public rebuke highlights the ongoing challenges in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing sector, where state-owned enterprises often struggle with delays and production bottlenecks. HAL has yet to respond to Singh’s comments, but the incident underscores the mounting pressure to meet delivery deadlines and strengthen the IAF’s combat capabilities.
