New Delhi: The Indian Air Force has partnered with domestic defense manufacturers to launch a comprehensive initiative aimed at indigenizing spare parts, avionics, and critical equipment for its foreign-origin aircraft fleet. Unveiled on Thursday by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh alongside Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers President Arun Ramchandani, the compendium titled “Sankalp-2026, a compendium on problem statements of IAF” serves as a strategic roadmap for local industry partners to address supply chain vulnerabilities caused by shifting global geopolitics.
The primary focus of the document centers on sustaining India’s extensive fleet of Russian-origin platforms, which includes approximately 270 Sukhoi-30MKI and 70 MiG-29 fighter jets, alongside Mi-17 helicopters, IL-76, and AN-32 transport aircraft. In light of ongoing supply chain disruptions and escalating maintenance costs stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the IAF is prioritizing the domestic production of Line Replaceable Units, raw materials, and advanced aero-engines. Key initiatives include replacing foreign radars with the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, upgrading electronic warfare suites, and integrating Indian-made weaponry like the Astra air-to-air missile onto current fighter platforms.
To accelerate overhaul turnarounds and local manufacturing, the IAF is actively expanding its “Plant-in-Plant” operational model. This framework permits private industry specialists to work directly inside secure Base Repair Depots to conduct repair and overhaul activities using advanced repair processes, composite parts, and predictive maintenance technologies. Supported by Nodal Technology Centres collaborating with research institutions and the Defence Research and Development Organisation, the IAF aims to transition away from foreign import reliance toward a self-reliant domestic defense ecosystem.
