Not Enough Aircraft To Cover Borders, Government Aware: IAF Vice Chief

Negotiations for the Rafale jet fighter is on, but even if India and France were to sign the deal now, it will take few years before first aircraft is delivered.

To fill the gap, India is trying to acquire 36 French-made Rafale fighters and indigenously made Light Combat Air Craft - Tejas.

Negotiations for Rafale are still on. And Hindustan Aeronautics Limited - a Defence Public Sector Unit that manufactures Tejas -- is yet to deliver the first jet to the IAF. "We have asked for delivery as early as possible," the Vice Chief said.

The Tejas is likely to get its Final Operational Clearance six months from now. The IAF will buy at least 120 planes.

What is worrying some in the IAF is the fact even if India and France were to sign the deal now, it will take few years before first Rafale is delivered.

Similar is the case with Tejas. The Hindustan Aeronautics can roughly produce 8 aircraft -- less than half a squadron -- per year and urgently requires to ramp up its production to fill the gap.