The Indian Air Force needs to bring in roughly 36 to 40 fighter aircraft every year simply to stop its squadron strength from falling further, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said, laying out the scale of production and induction required to rebuild the service’s combat fleet. Speaking at the IAF’s Annual Press Conference, Singh said the force needs the equivalent of almost two fighter squadrons every year if it is to first arrest the decline below 30 squadrons and then start moving towards its stated target of 42.
