IAF chief sets out need for 36–40 aircraft a year to rebuild fighter strength
The annual requirement depends on deliveries and proposed purchases; it is not a confirmation of a signed Rafale deal.
India's Air Force needs to add 36–40 aircraft annually to arrest the decline in fighter squadrons and work towards its authorised strength, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said at a Saturday media briefing. The Indian Express reported his assessment in an October 4 update.
The chief linked the outlook to several programmes, including Tejas Mk1A deliveries, a proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighters and additional Su-30 aircraft. His delivery calculations were conditional on production and procurement plans progressing.
He said the force needed to prevent squadron numbers from falling below 30 while moving towards the sanctioned 42. The comments came ahead of Air Force Day on October 8.
For readers tracking defence spending, the key distinction is between a stated operational requirement and equipment actually entering service. The briefing outlined the scale and pace the IAF wants; it did not establish that every proposed contract had been concluded or that delivery schedules were guaranteed.