Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Awadhesh Kumar Bharti, Aero Tech India 2025, organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Chambers in cooperation with the Air Energy and Strategic Studies Center. Photo: x/@ficci_india
IAF is banking at LCA MK2 and AMCA for the future, but because they will spend time, the efforts to bridge immediate gaps in abilities are developing, the representative of the Airble AirSh Kumar Bharti (September 20, 2025) in Delhi said.
He was addressed by the Aero Tech India 2025, organized by the Federation of Indian Chamber and Industry, in cooperation with the Air Energy Center and Strategic Studies.
In the lack of fighter aircraft after the elimination of the MiG-21 fleet, said Mr. Bharti: “We look at LCA MK2 in the coming years, and we have also invested in advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), but they are, that we will grind in the near future. is going on. ”
He also mentioned that last week a contract for awarding contracts was signed for another 97 LCA MK1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Steps to self -sufficiency
He stressed that the Indian defensive sector was taking significant steps to self-sufficient reasons in meeting the needs of IAF and India aims to develop its own engine over the next 10-12 years. This ambitious goal requires joint efforts from the parties involved and industry.
He emphasized the importance of indigenization and told leaders and politicians in the field that even 99% native content was not sufficient if the critical components remained dependent on imports. “If the reserves of these critical components are suffered, we will not be able to increase production if necessary,” said Mr. Bharti, urging the manufacturer to focus on 100% indigenization in defined time frames.
He said that indigenization is critical to the future IAF abilities, which would require strategic autonomy in critical technologies. Progress from conceptualization after operation is slow, which requires accelerated innovation through the development of research and development infrastructure. Future conflicts require persistent ISR (intelligence, supervision and survey), real -time awareness, cognitive command and control systems and secure communication protocols.
Weapons search technology
However, Mr. Bharti identified weapons search technology as the most critical gap. “Significant efforts are developed into the development of different types of weapons … but very few of us look at Seeker technology,” he said.
The Air Force Chief urged the manufacturer to invest in quantum computer technology for secure communication, Scramjet engines to allow hypersonic missiles, basic engine technologies for fighters and transport aircraft, controlled energy weapons and drop capabilities. He noted that the unmanned field of air systems was “overloaded” and urged entrepreneurs to focus on increasing the capabilities of the platform, survival and integration of sensors instead.
Published – September 30, 2025 22:13
