India’s defence shortcomings and internal corruption have once again been exposed on the global stage, as Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal A.P. Singh publicly admitted to severe flaws in the country’s defence procurement processes.
According to media reports, Air Chief Singh stated that “the concept of timelines is dead”, pointing out that no major defence project in India is completed on schedule. He further revealed that many systems under contract may never be delivered, yet deals are still signed.
“The agreements are made, but weapons don’t arrive,” he said, citing Operation Sandur as a wake-up call for India’s military leadership. The Air Chief acknowledged that the nature of modern warfare is evolving rapidly and requires a strategic overhaul.
It is worth noting that Operation Sandur was launched by India following baseless allegations against Pakistan. In response, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) retaliated and reportedly shot down six Indian aircraft, including the much-hyped Rafale jets, exposing India’s vulnerabilities in aerial combat.
The Indian Air Chief’s rare public criticism has raised serious questions about the transparency, efficiency, and preparedness of India’s defence sector.
