The recent criticism of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-run aerospace manufacturer, by the Chief of Air Staff underscores a longstanding issue ~ chronic inefficiencies in defence production that compromise national security. While self-reliance in defence is a strategic imperative, it cannot come at the cost of operational readiness. The delays in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, particularly the Tejas Mk 1 variant, reflect a larger problem of institutional inertia, lack of accountability, and an over promised yet underdelivered vision.

For decades, India has aspired to develop indigenous fighter aircraft to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The LCA programme was conceived in the 1980s with high hopes, yet production delays have hampered the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ability to modernise its fleet on schedule. While external factors, such as global supply chain constraints, are often blamed, the reality is that the primary cause of these delays lies in domestic inefficiencies. State-owned defence enterprises........

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