New Delhi, Aug. 1 -- The deficiency of fighter jets in the India Air Force (IAF) has been conspicuous for years. But precious little has been done to address this criticality beyond importing 36 French Rafale jets against 126 multi-role fighter jets procurement planned earlier.

A recent study by the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI) has concluded that the French Air Force "could" survive just three days against Russia - fourth-generation French Rafale pitted against fifth-generation Russian fighter aircraft. The Indian government is mum on the loss of Rafale (s) in Op Sindoor possibly because India is to import 26 Rafale (M) for the Indian Navy.

Criticality of IAFs fighter jet strength also came up in the ongoing sessio...