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New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hiding facts doesn't help national security, says Telangana minister Uttam Kumar Reddy
HYDERABAD: Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, an Indian Air Force veteran, on Saturday demanded transparency from the Centre regarding the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor, particularly the alleged downing of Rafale jets. He said while the nation is proud of the armed forces and their devastating impact on Pakistan, the government must inform citizens about any losses. Speaking from the Congress party headquarters, Uttam highlighted concerns raised by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and CDS General Anil Chauhan regarding delays in aircraft supply, talent shortages, and operational gaps. 'Most firing happened within international borders, yet we lost fighter aircraft. This demands a serious reassessment of our defence capabilities,' he said. The minister praised the Air Force's role in the operation, calling it a 'decisive victory,' but pointed out that India has only 31 operational fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42, compromising national security amid threats from China and Pakistan. Criticising the BJP for branding Rahul Gandhi as 'anti-national' for seeking clarity on Rafale losses, Uttam said, 'Now even the Chief of Defence Staff has confirmed that IAF jets were brought down. In a democracy, accountability and transparency are essential.' He further criticised Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for delays in supplying Tejas Mark-1A jets, pointing out that despite the Air Force's need for 35–40 aircraft annually, HAL has struggled to meet its target of 24 jets per year. He cited the Air Chief's concerns about 'unrealistic deadlines and flawed contracts' that weaken institutional trust. 'We must learn from our losses. Hiding facts does not help national security,' he stated.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Uttam demands transparency on ‘Rafale losses'
Hyderabad: Irrigation and civil supplies minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy on Saturday demanded full transparency from the Centre regarding the losses suffered during Operation Sindoor and the conflict between India and Pakistan, particularly the reported downing of . Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Addressing a media conference at AICC headquarters in New Delhi, Uttam, a former IAF fighter pilot himself, said: "When Rahul Gandhi first raised questions on Rafales being shot down, he was accused of being anti-national. But today, General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has confirmed that Rafale aircraft were brought down." He also cited Air Marshal Bharti, Director General Air Operations, who in the DGMO briefing had said: "Losses are normal in combat. The objectives of the mission have been achieved and all pilots have come home." Uttam emphasised that while the pilots returned safely, "the aircraft have not returned to their bases," highlighting the need for transparency. He criticised the BJP govt for initially denying these losses and launching a campaign against Rahul Gandhi. "Now that the CDS himself has spoken, the govt should stop the denials. We are proud of our armed forces, but transparency strengthens trust and helps us learn from every operation. How did the US President announce the ceasefire before the DGMOs of India and Pakistan? The govt of India has never clearly explained how this happened. " He stressed the need for a serious reassessment of India's defence technology, pointing out that most of the firing during the four-day operation happened from within each country's international borders. "Yet, we lost fighter aircraft. This requires a thorough review of our technological capabilities," he said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The BJP-led govt at the centre should act urgently on the concerns raised by the air force chief about delays in fighter aircraft supply, talent shortages, and the gap between sanctioned and operational squadrons in the armed forces. India's operational fighter squadrons were below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. All three armed forces are short of manpower by over 10 percent. Given the live threats on both our borders (China and Pakistan), we should be going beyond the sanctioned strength. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) did not deliver the Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets on time as said by the Air Chief. This can prove to be a serious problem. The entire country and the govt of India must wake up to the reality to strengthen our armed forces considerably," Uttam said. Quoting the Air Chief Marshal directly, Uttam said: "India has fallen behind China in defence technology and production although our training standards remain superior. This is of serious concern and urgent necessary corrective steps should be taken. The best minds are not joining the service in sufficient numbers, especially in operational and R&D wings. The govt should attract top talent." Uttam reaffirmed his pride in the Indian armed forces while urging the govt to ensure they are equipped, supported, and respected with honesty and transparency. The govt must acknowledge what happened, learn lessons, and be accountable. "We salute the for their decisive victory, but we must be prepared for the challenges ahead," he said.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Strategic shift beyond US: India seeks new allies for next-gen fighter jets
India is actively engaging with manufacturers from the UK, France, and Japan to co-develop fighter jet engines, broadening its defense ties beyond the US as it faces mounting security challenges and looks to shore up its indigenous aerospace capabilities, a Bloomberg report said. Senior officials told Bloomberg that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will evaluate these proposals, with the aim to start the project swiftly. The countries in talks-UK's Rolls-Royce, France's Safran, and an undisclosed Japanese partner-are all offering technology transfers and potential co-production arrangements, according to people familiar with the matter. Rolls-Royce offered to jointly produce and transfer technology to India during a visit by senior defense ministry officials to the UK in April, while Safran is reportedly open to sharing intellectual property rights, the Bloomberg report said. Why it matters India's push to diversify its fighter jet engine partnerships signals a strategic rebalancing in its defense policy. For decades, India's defense ties leaned heavily on Russian suppliers, with growing partnerships with the US in the past decade. However, India's decision to explore new partners highlights a shift: an urgent focus on reliability, supply chain security, and technological self-sufficiency amid global uncertainties. Air Chief Marshal A P Singh warned at an industry event on Thursday that delays in acquiring critical weapons 'pose a serious challenge to national defense readiness,' adding bluntly, 'Not for a single project that I can think of that has been completed on time.' His remarks underscore why India is moving beyond a single-source approach, especially after penalties were imposed on General Electric for delivery delays on engines that power India's locally-made Tejas light combat jets. The broader context India's military modernization push has been a long time coming, with delays plaguing every step of the way. Singh's remarks-'once a timeline is given… not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time'-reflect growing impatience within India's defense establishment. State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has faced flak for delays in delivering Tejas Mark-1A jets, forcing the government to pivot to private sector involvement to speed things up. The new execution model for the AMCA is a radical shift, designed to harness private innovation and global expertise while ending HAL's monopoly on fighter production. The big picture India's ambition is to power its twin-engine fifth-generation fighter jets-currently under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project-with engines co-developed or built domestically in collaboration with global partners. The AMCA program is part of India's larger vision to modernize its aging, largely Russian-made air force fleet and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. Defense minister Rajnath Singh has approved a new 'execution model' for the AMCA, which for the first time allows private sector firms to bid for the project alongside the HAL. Officials say the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which is leading the project, will soon issue an expression of interest to domestic and international players. The project's significance is clear: China's rapidly advancing J-20 and rumored sixth-generation jets have raised alarm bells in Delhi. Meanwhile, Pakistan is set to acquire at least 40 Chinese J-35A fifth-generation fighters. With only 30 active fighter squadrons against an authorized strength of 42, India needs to catch up-and quickly. What they are saying Michael Rubin, a South Asia analyst at the American Enterprise Institute, described India's drive as part of a 'broader effort to secure the supply chain for critical defense equipment.' He noted that the 'military lesson from Ukraine's war has been clear: self-sufficiency and reliable partnerships are paramount.' Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh emphasized in his CII Business Summit remarks, 'We need to quickly get our act together… while design in India continues to produce results in the near future or maybe later, what is required today is required today.' Zoom in India's defense collaborations are moving from traditional vendor relationships to true joint development. Rolls-Royce, for example, offered to share cutting-edge engine technology, while Safran has expressed willingness to co-create intellectual property within India-key for India's ambitions to be more than just an assembly hub. Japan, too, has signaled openness to deeper defense industrial ties, aligning with India's vision of a broader Indo-Pacific security network. Defence minister Rajnath Singh held talks in May with his Japanese counterpart, exploring potential collaborations in tank and aero engine development. Between the lines These moves do not indicate a cooling of India-US ties-joint manufacturing of GE's F414 engines is still a cornerstone of Indo-US defense cooperation. But delays in that deal have prompted India to cast a wider net, underscoring that while Washington remains a top partner, India wants alternatives to hedge against risks. Indeed, India's engagement with the UK, France, and Japan is about more than just hardware-it's about building strategic resilience in the defense sector. A senior official involved in the negotiations said the goal is not to sideline US defense ties but 'to ensure we have multiple options, as this is about national security.' What's next India aims to finalize the AMCA's prototype phase by developing five aircraft before moving to series production. For the first two AMCA squadrons, India will rely on the US-made GE F414 engines. But for the remaining five squadrons-over 100 jets-it wants more powerful 110-kilonewton engines built with technology partners outside the US, according to officials. India's broader defense transformation, its AMCA program, and its engagement with multiple global players highlight a fundamental truth: for New Delhi, defense self-reliance and resilient supply chains are no longer optional-they are non-negotiable in a rapidly changing world.
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Defence project delays hit operational readiness: IAF chief
Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh NEW DELHI: Persistent delays in military modernisation projects with unrealistic timelines and unachievable promises adversely impact operational readiness of the armed forces in the long run, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh said on Thursday. Speaking at the annual CII business summit, the IAF chief also described the deep precision strikes against terror hubs and military bases in Pakistan from May 7 to 10 under Operation Sindoor as a "national victory" and a testament to the collective efforts of the armed forces, different agencies and all citizens in a "whole-of-nation approach" against cross-border terrorism. "This was an operation executed in a very professional manner by everybody... When truth is on your side, things happen automatically," he said, speaking publicly for the first time about Operation Sindoor. "It has given us clarity on the evolving nature of warfare. It has given the armed forces a clear idea of where we are headed and what we need in the future. New technologies are constantly emerging. We need to realign our thinking accordingly, and it is already underway," he added. The IAF chief's deep anguish at the huge time overruns in domestic defence projects, however, came through in the backdrop of massive delays in production of the indigenous Tejas Mark-1A jets by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has left his force grappling with just 30 fighter squadrons when it is authorised to have 42.5, and several other projects. "Timelines are a big issue... Not a single project that I can think of has been completed on time. So, this is something that we have to look at. Why should we promise something that cannot be achieved?" ACM Singh asked. "While signing the contract itself, some of the times we are sure that it is not going to come up. But we just sign the contract. Obviously, then the process gets vitiated," he added. With the private sector increasingly coming into defence production, and the doors for it now being opened even in the development of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter called the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), the IAF chief quoted Winston Churchill to exhort industry captains to rise to the occasion. "The AMCA needs to be contemporary when it's built," he said. "If Indian industry can make world-class cars, electronics and civil equipment, why can't it make world-class military gear? Even if it doesn't bring in big profits, let's come together and build a stronger nation," he added. The global situation has made it clear that self-reliance is the only solution for India to meet its military hardware and software needs. "We must be future-ready. Over the next 10 years, we will see more results from Indian industry and DRDO. But what we need today is required today," he said. "We need to act quickly, maybe with fast-track 'Make in India' programmes, to address immediate needs while longer-term design and development continues. We need both capability and capacity. We can't just produce in India - we must design and develop here too. To produce at scale, we need capacity," he added.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Doors opened to private sector to join race to develop desi 5th-gen fighters
Photo/Agencies NEW DELHI: India has finalised a new 'programme execution model' for the indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter called the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), under which private firms can also bid for the project along with defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). The new model approved by defence minister Rajnath Singh, which aims to accelerate prototype development and induction of the AMCA through a 'robust' domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, marks a radical departure from the country's long-standing policy of fighter production being solely the preserve of HAL. The defence ministry expects HAL, which has been facing major flak for the huge delay in production of the fourth-generation Tejas Mark-1A jets, to bid for the AMCA project in partnership with one or more private players, officials told TOI. The defence PSU, after all, "already has its hands full" with the planned production of 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets for around Rs 1.2 lakh crore, which is slated to be followed by another 108 4.5-generation Tejas Mark-2 jets, apart from several other aircraft and helicopter projects. "Private companies can also bid for the AMCA project independently, or in a joint venture with a foreign OEM (original equipment manufacturer), or as a consortium. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo It provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis. The bidder, of course, should be an Indian company compliant with domestic laws and regulations," an official said. "It's an important step towards harnessing indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to produce the twin-engine AMCA prototype. There will be a competition. It will not be handed over to HAL on a nomination basis," he added. Towards this end, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of DRDO, which is entrusted with designing and developing the 25-tonne AMCA, will soon issue an expression of interest (EoI) for its development phase through industry partnership. The move to accelerate the AMCA project comes at a time when Pakistan is on course to acquire at least 40 J-35A fifth-generation jets from China, which is now even flaunting sixth-generation prototypes with tailless airframes like Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50. The IAF, meanwhile, is grappling with just 30 fighter squadrons (each has 16-18 jets) when 42.5 are authorised. At least eight more squadrons are slated for retirement over the next 10 years. The PM-led cabinet committee on security in March last year had cleared the full-scale engineering development of five AMCA prototypes, along with a structural test specimen, extensive flight testing and certification, by ADA at an initial cost of over Rs 15,000 crore. As per existing timelines, the AMCA with the requisite thrust-to-weight ratio, advanced sensor fusion and stealth features like an internal weapons bay and 'serpentine air-intake' will be ready for production only by 2035. The IAF plans to induct seven squadrons (126 jets) of the expensive AMCA, which will also have AI-powered electronic pilot systems, netcentric warfare systems, integrated vehicle health management and the like. While the first two AMCA squadrons will be powered by the American GE-F414 engines in the 98 Kilonewton thrust class, the next five will have 110 Kilonewton engines. HAL and General Electric are conducting techno-commercial negotiations for co-production of the GE-F414 engines in India, with 80% of transfer of technology for around $1.5 billion.
