Story perspectives

Air Force Chief Criticizes HAL Delays During Tejas Final Sortie

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 10:41 AM UTC · How we work

Center

Denied F-35 Access

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his final fighter sortie in a Tejas jet during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur Air Force Station on 12 October 2026.
The Indian Air Force was denied access to the U.S. F-35 aircraft during the exercise, Singh said.
This sortie highlighted the LCA Mk-1A, India’s next-generation indigenous fighter slated for induction by year-end.
Exercise Tarang Shakti ran from 26 September to 12 October 2026, involving aircraft from seven foreign nations.

Right

Hands On Leadership

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his final fighter sortie in a Tejas jet during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur Air Force Station on 12 October 2026.
His criticism of HAL for Tejas delivery delays highlighted his hands-on leadership.
Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will become Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026.
Singh, a former test pilot with over 5,000 flight hours, directed Tejas flight testing.

Blindspot

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the Indian Air Force was denied access to the United States-provided F-35 fighter jets during Exercise Tarang Shakti.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

1998 US denial of advanced fighter tech spurred India’s Light Combat Aircraft program; HAL flew the Tejas prototype in January 2001. The jet entered IAF service in 2015 and, after delivering 32 aircraft by 2023, remains the backbone of India’s indigenous fighter drive despite Mk-1A engine delays. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh’s final Tejas sortie in 2024 underscores this self-reliance as the U.S. blocks F-35 participation.

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Denied F-35 Access

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his final fighter sortie in a Tejas jet during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur Air Force Station on 12 October 2026.
The Indian Air Force was denied access to the U.S. F-35 aircraft during the exercise, Singh said.
This sortie highlighted the LCA Mk-1A, India’s next-generation indigenous fighter slated for induction by year-end.
Exercise Tarang Shakti ran from 26 September to 12 October 2026, involving aircraft from seven foreign nations.

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