IAF needs 35-40 fighter jets annually to replace aging fleet: Air Chief

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) requires 35-40 fighter jets annually to bridge the existing gap and phase out its aging fleet, including Mirage, MiG-29, and Jaguar aircraft, Air Chief Marshal Amarpreet Singh said on Friday.

“We need two squadrons annually, which translates to 35-40 aircraft every year. These are essential to replace the old fleet over the next five to ten years,” he stated.

He expressed satisfaction with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) plan to manufacture 24 Tejas Mark-1A jets next year but emphasized the need to involve private companies to boost production.

Citing the Tata-Airbus joint venture that developed the C295 cargo aircraft, he suggested that private sector participation could help deliver 12-18 aircraft annually.