India’s ambitious defense modernization program particularly the much-touted Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative now finds itself at a dangerous crossroads, largely owing to the glaring inefficiencies and operational failures of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh at the Chanakya Dialogues Conclave on Bharat 2047 outlined IAF vision for modernization and self-reliance. A key focus of his address was the need to produce 35-40 fighter jets annually to replace aging aircraft and sustain operational strength. The IAF Chief’s recent remarks have exposed cracks in India’s defense production machinery, specifically focusing on HAL’s inability to meet crucial deadlines, jeopardizing not just operational preparedness but also India’s long-term strategic security.
One of the most alarming failures lies in the overdue delivery of the 11 promised Tejas Mk1A jets. These delays are not minor inconveniences but rather represent a direct assault on the IAF’s frontline air defense capabilities. In a regional environment where adversaries like China and Pakistan are rapidly modernizing their air forces, HAL’s operational paralysis threatens to tilt the balance unfavorably against India. Worse still, HAL’s misrepresentation at the Aero India 2025 show adds salt to the wound. By falsely presenting basic software tweaks as Mk1A upgrades, HAL not only compromised its own credibility but also tarnished India’s global defense reputation. The international defense community views such attempts with skepticism, undermining India’s standing as a credible and capable arms manufacturer.
Further compounding these failures is HAL’s chronic shortage of jet engines, a logistical nightmare that has severely stalled Tejas production. Engine supply disruptions, particularly stemming from HAL’s partnership with General Electric (GE), reflect glaring lapses in planning, execution, and foresight at the core of India’s defense apparatus.
Even as HAL struggles to meet its domestic commitments, the Indian government paradoxically continues to champion the export of Tejas jets. This promotion rings hollow when juxtaposed against the stark reality of HAL’s failure to deliver basic orders at home. The consequences of these production delays are far-reaching. Analysts warn that if the current pace persists, full deployment of the Tejas fleet may not be realized until after 2035. Such timelines are unacceptable when India faces immediate and evolving threats. Every delay further compromises India’s air defense readiness, leaving strategic gaps that adversaries could exploit.
Indeed, the numbers speak volumes. India’s fighter squadron strength has alarmingly dropped 26% below required levels, a dangerous shortfall attributed largely to HAL’s persistent failure to deliver. With Pakistan making moves to acquire stealth J-35 fighters and China already fielding advanced sixth-generation aircraft, India’s relative air power appears increasingly fragile.
The GE-HAL engine supply disruptions further expose India’s dependence on foreign technology for critical defense components. This over-reliance starkly contradicts the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Despite years of declarations and policies promoting indigenous manufacturing, India’s indigenous engine program remains non-existent. This inability to produce core technologies domestically is not an isolated incident. The Indian government’s repeated formation of committees to resolve HAL’s delays underscores systemic inefficiency and an institutional lack of urgency. These committees, while well-intentioned, have achieved little beyond paperwork, leaving the IAF’s preparedness in a perpetual state of compromise.
The situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the IAF Chief has publicly expressed a loss of faith in HAL’s promises. He further underscored that delivery of first batch comprising of 40 aircraft ordered in 2009-10 still not completed. When the highest-ranking officer of the air force openly questions the capabilities of the country’s primary defense manufacturer, it sends shockwaves through defense circles, both domestically and internationally. India’s strategic air deterrence capability is now openly under scrutiny, a reality no responsible nation can afford.
By February 2025, HAL had delivered zero Tejas Mk1A jets. This bureaucratic inefficiency effectively cedes air superiority to China’s rapidly advancing sixth-generation fighters. While China races ahead, HAL’s inertia leaves India’s defenses dangerously outdated, raising critical concerns over national security.
HAL’s inability to meet its modest target of producing 18 Tejas jets per year due to engine procurement failures further weakens India’s operational edge. Each year lost to delays translates into lost technological relevance, eroded combat readiness, and compromised strategic deterrence. This sentiment rings painfully true, particularly with the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) prototype now delayed until at least 2029. As the Chief of Air Staff succinctly warned,
“Tech delayed is tech denied”
Safety and reliability concerns surrounding Tejas aircraft are not unfounded either. The crash of a Tejas jet during the Bharat Shakti exercise has raised serious questions about the aircraft’s combat reliability and the credibility of HAL’s manufacturing standards. On 07 Mar, 25, an IAF Jaguar fighter of No 14 Squadron (Bulls) crashed in Haryana, near AFS Ambala, due to a system malfunction during a routine training sortie. On the same day, an IAF AN-32 transport aircraft made a crash landing at Bagdogra in West Bengal. Between 2017 and 2025, the IAF experienced a total of 34 aircraft crashes. These incidents resulted in the loss of 19 fighter aircraft, primarily attributed to human error and technical defects.
To make matters worse, the Tejas has failed to fully replace the aging MiG-21 fleet. Operational assessments have highlighted deficiencies in range and payload capacity, prompting the Chief of Air Staff to question the aircraft’s strategic value. When a replacement aircraft does not effectively fulfill the role it was designed for, the very purpose of its development is called into question. All these issues must be viewed within the broader context of India’s troubled defense procurement history. Scandals involving Rafale and AgustaWestland have left indelible marks of corruption and malpractice on India’s defense establishment. The lack of transparent, efficient procurement processes continues to compromise the country’s preparedness, leaving systemic weaknesses exposed.