In an unusual public disapproval of India's weapons manufacturing ecosystem, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Amar Preet Singh lamented the delays plaguing the country's defense projects and urged accountability.

Speaking at a high-profile industry gathering in the capital New Delhi last week, in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the air chief declared that contract timelines are routinely unrealistic and questioned the fundamental credibility of delivery promises made by public sector defense companies.

"Many times, we know while signing contracts that those systems will never come. Not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time," said Singh, referring to the agreed deadlines at the time of contract signing.

"Why should we promise something which cannot be achieved?" Singh asked.

While pointing to the changing nature and landscape of warfare involving drone technology, the air chief urged timely induction of new technologies into the armed forces.

For several years, the IAF has faced repeated delays in the delivery of new aircraft, especially the indigenous multirole combat jet Tejas Mk1A. For instance, not a single Tejas Mk1A from the 2021 order has yet been delivered despite repeated assurances of their imminent arrival.

Singh's latest comments come on the heels of recent armed clashes between India and Pakistan, where Indian air force employed manned aircraft alongside drones, enabling deeper incursions into Pakistani airspace.

The aerial confrontation was in response to a deadly attack by Islamist assailants that killed 26 people,........

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