India's heavy reliance on imported aircraft leaves it vulnerable to global conflicts and geopolitical shifts.

This dependency can create significant risks, particularly in times of crisis, as foreign suppliers may impose sanctions, delay spare part deliveries, or deny access to critical technology.

The Problem of "Vendor Lock-in"-

India has long been the world's largest importer of military hardware. While this has provided the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a formidable arsenal, it has also created a major strategic vulnerability known as "vendor lock-in."

• Supply Chain Disruptions: In a time of global conflict, sanctions or export controls imposed by a supplier country can halt the flow of spare parts and maintenance support. This was a major concern with India's past reliance on Soviet-era hardware, and it remains a risk with suppliers like Russia, France, and the United States.

• Technological Dependence: Importing a platform does not automatically grant India access to its core technologies. Key systems, such as advanced avionics, radars, and jet engines, often remain proprietary. This prevents India from independently upgrading its fleet or developing next-generation platforms, which hinders its long-term strategic autonomy.

• High Costs: Purchasing foreign aircraft and maintaining them with imported spare parts places a significant financial burden on India's defense budget, diverting funds from crucial indigenous research and development (R&D).

The Push for "Atmanirbhar Bharat"-

To mitigate these risks, India has launched the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative in the defense sector. The goal is to reduce import dependency and create a robust domestic defense industrial base. The Indian Air Force is at the forefront of this effort.

• Indigenous Platforms: India has made significant progress in developing its own fighter jets, such as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). The successful development and induction of the Tejas program demonstrate India's growing capability to design and build its own combat platforms.

• Strategic Partnerships: Rather than relying solely on outright purchases, India is now pursuing joint ventures and technology transfers with foreign partners. For example, India's talks with Western countries for the co-development of a jet engine for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program are a key step toward achieving self-reliance in a critical area.

• Diversification: India has been actively diversifying its defense partners to reduce its over-reliance on a single country. While Russia remains a major supplier, India has made significant deals with France (Rafale), Israel (missile systems and drones), and the United States (transport aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft). This diversification spreads the risk across multiple vendors.

Conclusion-

While India's reliance on foreign aircraft remains a significant risk, the country is not passively vulnerable. The government's strategic push for indigenization and diversification is a direct acknowledgment of this risk. However, the slow pace of indigenous projects and the massive financial and technological challenges mean that for the foreseeable future, the Indian Air Force will continue to operate a diverse fleet of foreign-made aircraft, making it susceptible to "foreign risks."