July 24, 2025

India is on the brink of a concerning fighter jet shortage crisis as the Indian Air Force (IAF) bids farewell to its last two MiG-21 squadrons. With only 29 fighter jet squadrons compared to Pakistan's 25 and China's 66, the country is facing near-parity with its neighboring rival. The IAF Chief emphasizes the need to acquire at least 40 fighter jets annually to maintain a sufficient fleet. However, with outdated fighter jets like Mirage, Jaguar, and various MiG variants being phased out, India's squadron numbers are projected to align with Pakistan's within a decade. The cancellation of the 126-jet Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft deal in 2015 significantly impacted India's fighter fleet, leaving a gap that the recent acquisition of 36 Rafale jets has not adequately addressed. Plans to purchase 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft have stalled, further complicating India's defense preparedness. The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, intended to bolster India's air superiority, has faced production delays and technical challenges, hindering its deployment in the IAF. The lack of a domestic fighter jet engine production capability contributes to India's reliance on imported components, posing a significant hurdle in achieving self-sufficiency in aircraft manufacturing. While the proposed Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft represents a potential technological advancement, its development remains speculative at this stage. The growing trend towards drone warfare has prompted discussions within India's armed forces about integrating more drones into their operations. However, challenges such as evolving drone technology and the need for specialized drone operators pose obstacles to widespread drone implementation. Critics of the drone-centric strategy caution that traditional fighter jets offer unique offensive capabilities that drones currently lack, underscoring the ongoing importance of maintaining a robust fighter jet fleet. Despite the evolving landscape of warfare and emerging technologies, the parity between India and Pakistan in fighter jet numbers remains a pressing concern for India's national security.

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Tags: Iaf, Fighter jets, Mig-21, Defense, Aircraft,