Shortage of aircraft has put Indian Air Force in a crisis

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Editor's note: Last week was the fourth anniversary of the Balakot episode, which would be more popularly remembered for the impressively moustached Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and his fearless antics in Pakistani captivity than the missile threats it generated. The date went past mostly unnoticed, though it would have been a good opportunity to honestly appraise the Indian Air Force’s performance during that episode. From damaging the seminary at Balakot to shooting down its own helicopter and losing a fighter jet in an aerial clash that resulted in a pilot in Pakistani captivity, the list of unanswered questions runs long. If there was a serious discussion about the IAF, the spotlight would have moved to the equally critical subject of the shortfall in its combat capabilities. As is well known, the IAF is authorized 42 squadrons of fighter jets—even though it had earlier assessed that it needs 60—to deal with a two-front collusive threat from Pakistan and China. Currently, it has only 31 squadrons. Does shortfall matter? The “fighter shortage is now critical.” Those were the words of the Chief of Air …