HAL not up to speed

Delay in delivering fighter jets to IAF has potential implications for both national security and the 'Make in India' initiative

- SATARUPA BHATTACHARJYA

Air Chief Marshal A P Singh's remarks about Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) sparked a media firestorm this week. Singh was heard on video, first posted online by news portal Livefist, telling representatives of the country's largest defence manufacturer that the delay in the delivery of fighters to the Indian Air Force (IAF) was making him lose confidence in the company.

"HAL is our own company," Singh said, adding, "But I find that we are just not in mission mode."

Sitting in a jet cockpit, at this year's Aero India airshow in Bengaluru, Singh expressed, in what was meant to be a private conversation, his concern about the public sector unit's lack of urgency.

Air force veterans say the delay has potential implications for both national security and the "Make in India" initiative.