On the 26th of this month, a chapter closes for India's air defense as our venerable MiG-21 fighter jets officially retire. This moment should usher in a new era of strength, but a deeply concerning reality casts a shadow. While our nation should boast 42 operational air squadrons, we currently manage with a mere 29. Now, consider this: our neighbor, Pakistan, a country seven times smaller in size and with an economy eight times less robust, maintains 26 squadrons. Does a nearly 1:1 squadron ratio against such an adversary make any strategic sense, especially when our own security needs are exponentially greater? You might be wondering how such a disparity could exist, particularly when we celebrate our 'indigenous' Tejas Mk1A, the intended replacement. Here's the shocking truth that could cripple our defense: while we proudly call the Tejas 'made in India,' its very heart – the engine – is not our own. We rely heavily on the United States for this crucial component. The current production rate for the Tejas Mk1A is also agonizingly slow, with only about 20-25 jets being produced per year.
What happens if this vital supply chain is suddenly cut off? The US has already shown a willingness to impose tariffs on goods and services, bending nations to its will. What's to stop them from extending such pressure to our defense sector? Imagine a chilling scenario where, to 'clench our wrists,' they decide to halt the supply of these critical GE engines to our manufacturers. We would be left in an unthinkable predicament: our aging MiG-21s gone, and our shiny new Tejas jets grounded, unable to take to the skies. Would our cries of 'what now?' offer any comfort then? This isn't just a technical glitch; it's a strategic vulnerability that demands urgent attention, before it's too late.
