Timeline Important for Defence Preparedness

Air Chief Marshal A.P Singh has made a very significant statement regarding the procurement and delays in defence acquisition projects. While speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industries(CII) Annual General Meeting and Business Summit 2025 he said that the industry must avoid unrealistic timelines in defence projects. Though the Air Chief Marshal did not make any specific references about the delayed projects, his reference may be seen in the context of the delay in the delivery of Tejas light combat jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL).Underlining the importance of maintaining the timelines for the delivery of defence equipment, Air Chief marshal said, “Timelines is a big issue; that is where the ‘vachan’ (commitment) part comes in. Once a timeline is given… not a single project that I can think of, has been completed on time,” Air Chief Marshal Singh stated. He urged a re-evaluation of current practices, questioning why commitments are made for unachievable timelines. “While signing the contract itself, sometimes, we are sure that it is not going to come up. But, we just sign the contract and see what can be done after that. Obviously, then the process gets vitiated.” This is a serious concern keeping in view the situation in India’s neighbourhood. The recent response to the Pakistan’s sponsored Pahalgam carnage that led to the massacre of the innocent tourists in Kashmir and then Pakistan’s escalation has made it clear that there is a need to be well prepared in sectors of defence to checkmate the adversary. It is pertinent to mention that the Air Chief Marshal started his address by hailing Operation Sindoor as a national victory. It must be noted that in this operation Indian Air Force played a key role in destroying the nine terrorist targets in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan to avenge the killings of innocents in Pahalgam. He made it clear that India was on the path of truth and as such God was with India. He is right that the secret of the national victory in this operation is the outcome of the whole of the nation approach in which the Armed Forces, all agencies and the nation was involved. He was trying to bring home the point that the whole of nation approach is needed to accelerate and produce the desired results in the defence modernisation. Air Chief Marshal’s address must be seen in the context of the lessons learnt from the conflict and the future war preparedness. He said that the Operation Sindoor has provided the Indian Armed Forces a clear idea of their future direction and the needs. In this event Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi also spoke on the same lines and underlined the changing character of warfare and the emergence of new defence technologies. What has been said by the Air Force Chief must be taken in the right sense as he has underlined the importance of supply and demand in terms of the equipment when there is a dire need of the same. Most importantly, he has spoken at the right platform. The reason being that over the years there has been a focus on the Made in India policy. Thus it is incumbent upon the industry to look inwards and internalise the needs of the armed forces. Air Chief marshal has also welcomed the clearance of the execution model to design and produce the India’s fifth generation stealth fighter jet that is the Advanced Medium Combat aircraft(AMCA).He appreciated that the equal opportunities are being given to both private and public sectors under this model.If Air Chief Marshal’s message is well internalised then it means that India needs quick Make in India programmes to ensure the defence preparedness. There is a tremendous need for bigger chain that is strong enough in which the Armed Forces and the Industry act as strong links to uphold the national interest.