'Not a single one completed on time': IAF chief's bombshell over delayed defence projects
PTC News Desk: Indian Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has flagged concerns over delayed major defence procurement projects.
Speaking at an official event, the Air Chief said, "Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Timelines are a big issue. Not a single project I can think of is completed on time. Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved?"
His remarks came three months after he expressed disappointment over the delay in the delivery of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
#WATCH | Delhi: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh says, "Timeline is a big issue. So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we have to look at. Why should we promise something… pic.twitter.com/4aJxyuEcLx — ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025
"So, once a timeline is given, not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So this is something we must look at. Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved? While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up, but we just sign the contract," the Air Force chief said.
The Air Chief pointed out several cases of delayed defence systems those involving indigeous projects in particular and that the delay has affected multiple key projects. He said that despite being high-value contract signed over three years ago, crucial project like Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft remains undelivered. He also emphasised on induction of new technologies into the Armed forces.
"We have to be now-ready to be future-ready. In 10 years, we will have more output from industry, but what we need today, we need today. We need to quickly get our act together," he said. "Wars are won by empowering our forces."
"The character of war is changing. Every day, we are finding new technologies coming in. Operation Sindoor has given us a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in future. So a lot of work needs to be done in realigning our own thought processes also, which is already going on," he added.
- PTC NEWS
