In a rare and candid admission, Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari has raised strong concerns over chronic delays in India's defence procurement, stating that many contracts are signed despite knowing systems may never arrive. His remarks, delivered at the CII Annual Business Summit, underscore the challenges facing India’s defence sector, especially in critical indigenous projects. Citing the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, the Air Chief highlighted the delay in deliveries under the ₹48,000 crore contract signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2021. Despite plans to begin deliveries by March 2024, not a single aircraft has been handed over to the Indian Air Force yet.

“There are no timely completions. We need to stop making commitments we can't fulfill,” he said, pointing to the absence of prototypes for the next-generation Tejas Mk2 and the stealth Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Calling for urgent reforms under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' push, the Air Chief emphasized the need for deeper collaboration between the armed forces and domestic industry. “Producing in India isn't enough; we must also design here. Trust and accountability are essential,” he said.

His comments follow the success of Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory strike launched earlier this month in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. The operation, he noted, reflects the changing nature of warfare and the urgent need to adopt new technologies. This is not the first time the Air Chief has voiced dissatisfaction. In previous statements, he expressed concern over India's lag in defence production compared to China and questioned HAL’s ability to deliver on promises. As India faces rising security challenges, the IAF’s top commander has made it clear: the time to act is now, not a decade later.