NEW DELHI, Oct. 3 -- The inordinate delays in the induction of Tejas combat aircraft are hurting the Indian Air Force (IAF) in view of the depleting strength of its fighter jet squadrons at a time when air power is becoming increasingly crucial to deal with security challenges, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Saturday.
Addressing a press conference ahead of Air Force Day, the IAF chief also said that the force requires induction of at least 36-40 fighter jets annually for the next few years and hoped that the situation will improve with induction of indigenously-built Tejas Mark-1A aircraft as well as Rafale combat jets to be procured under the multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) programme.
Air Chief Marshal Singh sa...