India Forms High-Level Committee to Bolster Indian Air Force’s Capability Amid Regional Challenges

In response to escalating threats from China and Pakistan and the pressing shortage of fighter aircraft, the Indian government has constituted a high-level committee under Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. This initiative aims to comprehensively enhance the Indian Air Force's (IAF) operational capabilities, focusing on indigenous design, development, and procurement strategies.

Strategic Move Following Air Force Commanders' Conference

The decision to establish the committee comes after detailed presentations made by the Indian Air Force to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi last month. During the conference, top IAF officials outlined the critical need for futuristic combat aircraft and addressed existing capability gaps, emphasizing the necessity of bolstering preparedness against potential threats on both eastern and western fronts.

Composition of the Committee

The committee features senior officials from the Defence Ministry, including Defence Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Dr. Samir V. Kamat, and Deputy Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal T. Singh, who serves as the committee’s member secretary. Additionally, the Secretary of Defence Finance participated in the committee’s inaugural meeting last week.

This expert body is tasked with submitting a detailed report to the Defence Minister within the next two to three months. Their assessment will outline the IAF's operational needs and propose strategic measures to address these challenges, focusing on the indigenous manufacturing ecosystem.

Addressing the Fighter Aircraft Gap

The IAF has highlighted the urgent need to expand its fleet of modern fighter aircraft. While the force successfully inducted 36 Rafale jets under the 4.5-generation aircraft category, the growing threat posed by China's air dominance and Pakistan's evolving capabilities calls for a much larger fleet. China, in particular, has been supplying advanced arms and aircraft to Pakistan and is expected to provide similar assistance to Bangladesh.

Plans for acquiring 114 4.5-generation fighter jets have been pending for some time. The committee is expected to explore ways to accelerate these acquisitions through indigenous manufacturing, aligning with the government’s "Make in India" initiative. The indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark 1A is a cornerstone of these efforts, but delays in supply chain operations—such as engine deliveries from General Electric (GE) of the United States—have slowed progress.

Closing Weaponry Gaps

The IAF also faces challenges in bridging the gap in advanced weaponry, particularly in air-to-air and air-to-ground missile systems. Comparatively, China’s long-range surface-to-surface missile arsenal outpaces India in both range and numbers, further intensifying the need for modernization and upscaling.

Indigenous Push for Capability Development

The IAF remains committed to pursuing an indigenous approach to capability enhancement. Plans for producing 114 advanced fighter jets in collaboration with foreign original equipment manufacturers under the "Made in India" framework highlight this strategy. This push toward self-reliance is crucial for meeting the IAF’s long-term operational objectives and ensuring strategic autonomy in defense production.

Conclusion

The formation of this high-level committee underscores India’s resolve to address its air power challenges in a structured and forward-thinking manner. By leveraging indigenous development and addressing pressing gaps in capability, the initiative aims to equip the Indian Air Force to effectively counter regional threats and ensure the nation’s airspace security in the coming decades.