Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the Indian Air Force (IAF) to prepare for future conflicts through stronger technological capabilities, faster responses and dedicated doctrines for electronic, cyber and space warfare. His remarks came at the Air Force Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on Thursday, 12 November 2026, the first such meeting under Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
Singh said the changing character of warfare required the IAF to improve both its offensive and defensive capabilities rather than rely on aircraft numbers alone. He also called for better intelligence and surveillance systems so that potential threats could be identified before they develop. The minister’s guidance comes as the service confronts a reported gap between its present fighter strength and the number of squadrons authorised for it.
“Our Defence Forces must develop capabilities and methods that leave the adversary with no time to react or recover, while simultaneously ensuring that we are never caught off guard by an unexpected move from the enemy,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
Fighter strength and replacement pressure
The New Indian Express reported that the IAF has 29 fighter squadrons, against a sanctioned strength of 42.5. It also reported that three MiG-29 squadrons and six Jaguar squadrons are scheduled for retirement by the end of the decade. The figures underline the pressure on the service to sustain combat capability while replacement aircraft are introduced.
According to the same report, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is yet to deliver any of the 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ordered by the IAF. A separate project for 114 additional Rafales has not yet been signed, the report said. These developments were presented against a security environment involving China and Pakistan.
- IAF fighter strength: 29 squadrons, compared with 42.5 sanctioned
- Aircraft facing retirement: three MiG-29 and six Jaguar squadrons by the end of the decade
- Replacement programme cited: 180 Tejas Mk1A aircraft ordered; a project for 114 additional Rafales yet to be signed
Drones and warfare beyond traditional battlefields
Singh referred to the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts while highlighting the importance of missiles, drones and advanced weapon systems in contemporary warfare. He asked IAF commanders to prepare for threats involving kamikaze drones, surveillance systems and counter-drone operations. He also called for the emerging domains to be incorporated into operational planning and institutional preparedness.
The minister said the “element of surprise” had both offensive and defensive dimensions. For the IAF, that means developing methods intended to deny an adversary time to react while also ensuring that Indian forces are not caught unprepared by an unexpected move. Singh further said that lessons from Operation Sindoor in May 2025 were reflected in the service’s evolving operational procedures, and commended IAF personnel for their professionalism, restraint and judgement during and after the operation.
The conference therefore brought together two linked concerns: the need to close the gap in fighter-squadron strength and the requirement to adapt to warfare involving drones, electronic effects, cyber operations, space systems and integrated surveillance. Singh said future success would depend not only on the number of aircraft, but also on technological sophistication, speed of response and the precision of preparations.
