Delay in induction of jets hurting us, we need 36-40 aircraft annually: IAF chief

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said on Saturday the delay in the induction of fighter jets is “hurting us as our (squadron) numbers have gone down especially after the phase-out of MiG-21s..., and we need to plug this gap by adding 36-40 aircraft annually” for the next few years. However, the IAF chief made it clear that “we have less numbers, but we are not weak.”Addressing his last press conference as IAF chief, ACM Singh, who is scheduled to superannuate on Oct 31, said, “It happens that you plan something, but things get delayed. But this time, the delay has been long. I reiterate what I said earlier, ‘technology delayed is technology denied’. The IAF’’s fighter squadrons have depleted to an alarming 29 from an ideal 42.5.