Why India is turning to retired jets to sustain its depleted air force

India’s struggle to replenish its depleted fighter fleet has led one of the world’s largest defence spenders to seek spare parts from decommissioned aircraft.

New Delhi recently secured nine retired British-built Jaguar ground-attack jets, which will not enter service with the Indian Air Force (IAF) but will be dismantled to help sustain its six operational Jaguar strike squadrons of about 120 aircraft.

Analysts said the acquisition was a practical stopgap but also exposed a deeper weakness in India’s air power: dependence on foreign components and an inability to induct replacement aircraft quickly enough have left the IAF operating well below the fleet size approved by the government.

It currently has only 29 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42, leaving it nearly one-third short of the force level considered necessary for potential two-front contingencies involving China and Pakistan.

Kapil Kak, a former Indian air vice-marshal, attributed the decline in the country’s aircraft fleet to slow indigenous production, a shortage of skilled manpower and a lack of commitment to fulfilling contracts and obligations.