IAF Chief interview to Business World:
https://www.businessworld.in/article/IA ... 22-455446/
While expressing full support for indigenisation programmes, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari flagged the IAF’s deep concern and scepticism over the ability of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the public sector Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to deliver on key indigenous fighter aircraft programmes on time.
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But now, the IAF Chief has advised “prudence” of foreign tie-ups as a back-up for development of “alternative systems and sensors” just in case the indigenous effort slips on deadlines.
The quotes speak for themselves. While there should be a Plan B, no doubt, its very clear that the present chief is deeply skeptical about our ability to indigenously deliver on our fighter programs on time. He is happy to be a hands-off customer, paying lip-service to Atmanirbharta and thinks his job ends with embedding an IAF team with ADA. Not a single word of encouragement.
His signaling from the top is very worrisome, especially expressing such skepticism in public. Imagine how demoralizing it will be for the ADA/HAL/IAF-test team to hear this? His love for MRFA is well known. All in all, a very poor example of leadership.
I am convinced more than ever that Modi Sarkar needs to be extremely careful in who they promote among the ranks of the Armed Forces