Air Chief AP Singh Warns of Alternative Fighters if AMCA Delays Persist

• by Akanksha Mishra
• 2026-10-03 16:02:00

Setting a clear strategic roadmap ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh (AP Singh) declared that the Indian Air Force (IAF) will not establish an isolated, standalone drone division, but will instead seamlessly integrate unmanned systems, loitering munitions, and cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its core operational combat structure. Addressing pressing defense capability challenges, the Air Chief raised critical concerns regarding the force's depleting combat inventory—which currently stands at 29 operational fighter squadrons against an authorized requirement of 42. While reaffirming commitment to India's indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), he cautioned that any prolonged project delays would compel the IAF to actively evaluate alternative global fighter platforms to bridge the widening deficit.

Deficit in the Skies: IAF Needs 36 to 40 New Fighter Jets Annually to Replenish Squadrons

The Air Chief highlighted the urgent mathematical imperative required to rebuild India's frontline air combat fleet:

Current Fleet Depletion: With several legacy interceptors phasing out, the IAF operates with just 29 squadrons, severely straining its multi-front aerial deterrence against an authorized strength of 42.

36–40 Jets Per Year Required: To reverse this downward trajectory and achieve target force projection levels, Air Chief Marshal Singh stated that India must induct between 36 and 40 modern multirole fighter aircraft every single year.

Contingency Beyond AMCA: While the domestic fifth-generation AMCA remains the centerpiece of India’s long-term aerospace ambition, the IAF Chief noted via PTI that if delays hit AMCA and associated programs, the military will have to seriously consider procuring other operational fighter aircraft.

"No Separate Drone Force": Why AI-Enabled Synergy Will Drive Future Battlefield Dominance

Dismantling calls to carve out independent unmanned combat branches, the Air Chief outlined a cohesive future warfare philosophy:

Evolutionary, Not Revolutionary: Clarifying the operational doctrine, AP Singh explained that drones and loitering munitions represent an evolutionary technological progression rather than an abrupt organizational revolution.

Integrated Force Structure: The IAF leadership ruled out a disjointed drone command, insisting that autonomous systems and kamikaze loitering drones must operate in tight coordination with crewed strike formations rather than in tactical isolation.

Transition to an AI-Enabled Force: Emphasizing technological leaps, Singh stated, "We need an AI-enabled force," stressing that predictive algorithms, real-time machine intelligence, sensor fusion, and algorithmic targeting must be embedded across all command-and-control architectures.

114 Rafale MRFA Deal in Final Stretch, Decision Pending on Russia’s Su-57 Offer

Decisions on major foreign procurement programs are approaching decisive turning points:

MRFA 114 Rafale Procurement: Addressing the long-pending procurement of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), the Air Chief indicated that the contract could potentially be concluded within the current financial year, though the timeline hinges on complex inter-governmental negotiations. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has already cleared the critical "Acceptance of Necessity" (AoN), with the majority of the twin-engine jets slated to be manufactured domestically under Make in India provisions.

Undecided on Russian Su-57 Stealth Jets: Regarding Moscow's overtures offering its fifth-generation Su-57 Felon stealth fighters—which included Russian President Vladimir Putin’s proposal for co-production on Indian soil—Air Chief Marshal Singh clarified that the IAF has not arrived at any formal conclusion, leaving the Russian pitch on the table without immediate endorsement.

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