At least 42 fighter squadrons essential, says IAF chief VR Chaudhary

He said the global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) had given their commitments for ensuring indigenous content and Made-in-India solutions

The Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary, on Tuesday stated that the IAF needed to have its squadron numbers up, even if achieving the goal of 42 squadrons appeared difficult at the moment.

Given the number-plating (retirement) of about 12 squadrons of fighters between now and the middle of the 2030s, the IAF chief said even a best-case scenario of induction of new aircraft would raise fighter squadron numbers only to about 35-36 squadrons.

Listing out the incoming aircraft, Chaudhary said two squadrons of Tejas Mark 1 and four squadrons of Tejas Mark 1A were due