Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy as an Air Force pilot at the National Defence Academy.

Hyderabad

Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, also a retired Indian Air Force pilot, demanded full transparency from the Government of India regarding the losses suffered during the recent Operation Sindoor, particularly the reported downing of Rafale fighter jets.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Saturday, he pressed the BJP-led Government at the Centre to act urgently on the concerns raised by the Air Force chief about delays in aircraft supply, talent shortages, and the gap between sanctioned and operational squadrons.

He referred to recent statements made by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh saying that these “should concern us all.” He cited the warnings about severe delays in supply of fighter aircraft and weaponry, which, he said, were “a serious problem for the Air Force.”

He also cited the briefings of Air Marshal Bharti, Director General Air Operations, that the pilots returned safely while not denying claims of aircraft downed.

Mr. Reddy also criticised the BJP government for initially denying these losses and launching a campaign against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. “Now that the CDS himself has spoken, the government should stop the denials,” he said. “We are proud of our armed forces, but transparency strengthens trust and helps us learn from every operation.”

Mr. Reddy, a graduate from the National Defence Academy who flew MiG-21s and MiG-23s, reminded that during his tenure on the Parliamentary Defence Committee, he and his colleagues had repeatedly flagged India’s operational fighter squadrons. He said they were below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, each with 16 to 18 aircraft. “India currently has only 31 squadrons, which is substantially lower than required, especially when we face a collusive threat from both China and Pakistan.”

Quoting the Air Chief Marshal, Mr. Reddy said, “India has fallen behind China in defence technology and production, even as our training standards remain superior.” He stressed that this should be of “serious concern,” and urged the government to take necessary corrective steps.

Mr. Reddy pointed out that the Air Force currently needs 35 to 40 fighter jets annually, but HAL, which is contracted to supply 24 fighter aircraft per year, has failed to deliver that. “The Air Chief has also flagged a deeper malaise, contracts signed with unrealistic deadlines that vitiate the procurement process and erode institutional trust,” he said.