We are way behind China, says Air Chief

India must accelerate its military production and tech advancements to catch up with China, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated in a candid press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8. Singh didn't mince words: "We're way behind" when it comes to technology and production speed. He called for immediate action to close the gap with the neighboring powerhouse.

Despite this, Singh expressed confidence in India's personnel, asserting that Indian military operators are leagues ahead of their Chinese counterparts. "When it comes to the human element—the people behind the machine— we're far superior," he said. But, technology tells a different story: "We were ahead some time ago, but we've lagged behind. We need to catch up, and quickly."

Production, too, lags. Singh underscored that Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) must shore up production of 24 Tejas light combat jets annually, as promised, to make up for delays that are already hurting India's capabilities. By 2047, the Indian Air Force aims to have its entire inventory indigenously produced under its ambitious self-reliance program.

"The path to self-sufficiency is crucial," he said, hinting at the stark reality: in a full-scale conflict, relying on foreign weapons could be a devastating choke point.