Multiple programmes for the fighter jet: We need to reduce it to fewer, have two ADAs, IAF Chief AP Singh says

Responding to the question on the multiple fighter jet programme in parallel, the IAF Chief proposed whether the country should have another ADA, which is currently handling multiple projects at once (Tejas MK1A, Tejas Mk2, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Multi Role Fighter Programme (MRFA) and now a sixth-generation fighter programme with foreign partners.

The question was raised by the author to the  Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Indian Air Force (IAF) at the annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on 3 October.

Manish Kumar Jha: Chief, it is good to see the urgency of having a fighter jet. However, I see so many parallel programs: Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Tejas MK1A/Tejas 2, (Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA),  and, now, Sixth Generation fighter jet with foreign partners. Given the state of affairs and only one Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), are we moving in too many directions? Is the IAF prioritising such a layer of programmes for fighter jets?

Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Indian Air Force (IAF): “Manish, I think as far as multiple types of aircraft, we can’t have one solution for all kinds of situations. One type cannot do it all, and it may not even be very cost-effective. …there is a requirement to reduce the number of programs which are going on at any time, no doubt.

Unfortunately, these programs were started at different times; they could not be matched. So, we need to find a solution quickly by just having a focus on clearing one and moving off from that.”

IAF Chief further explained: “As of now, what we have is Tejas, Tejas Mk2, MRFA and AMCA. This is the kind of mix, which is very healthy. As MRFA is coming, we will have immediate solutions to our depleting squadron. In Make in India, TOTs will always be faster than R&D. However, yes, having so many indigenous programmes converging, with ADA only to handle all, there is worry that I have voiced earlier.”

He adds: “We need to make sure to prioritise correctly.”

The CAS  further responded on the current situation.

“Having said that, we recognise that ecosystems need to grow further; we have to have two ADAs for different programmes.  If only one group is involved in two programmes, then it might be problematic. As we have seen over the last three months, there is not much concrete progress.

There is a requirement to reduce the number of programmes going on, no doubt. Unfortunately, these programmes were started at different times; they So we could not bunch them.

“So, we need to find a solution quickly by just having a focus on clearing one and moving off from that.”