India Should Build, Not Buy: Kota Harinarayana Explains Why Su-57 or Western Jets Are Not the Answer

Kota Harinarayana, the principal designer of India’s Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, has stated that India should not invest in foreign fighter aircraft such as Russia’s Su-57. Instead, he has urged the country to continue strengthening its own aerospace programs as part of the policy of self-reliance in defence.

According to him, India has the knowledge base, design skills, and industrial ecosystem to create competitive combat aircraft. Dependence on foreign suppliers, he explained, results in financial outflow and creates long-term reliance for spares, upgrades, and maintenance. Harinarayana pointed to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) as the next major step. Designed with stealth features, advanced avionics, indigenous weapons, and eventually an Indian-built engine, the AMCA is expected to become a significant part of the Indian Air Force in the next decade.

Looking back at the MiG-21, Harinarayana described how the aircraft served multiple countries for decades and provided India with important experience in operating and maintaining modern fighters. In his view, this exposure helped train generations of pilots, engineers, and designers, which in turn supported the growth of India’s aerospace sector.

However, independent analysis shows that moving fully towards indigenous projects also raises concerns. The Tejas Mk-1A program has already experienced delivery delays. The Indian Air Force ordered 83 aircraft, with the first expected in 2024, but delivery schedules have slipped due to engine supply shortages and integration challenges in radar, software, and weapons. HAL has said it will increase production in 2025–26, but questions remain about whether these targets will be achieved.

A bigger challenge lies in engine supply. The Tejas and its upgraded variants rely on GE-404 and GE-414 engines supplied from the United States. Any disruption in these deliveries slows production. In addition, changes in American trade policy, tariffs, or sanctions on military technology could become a serious risk for India’s future programs. Analysts warn that this dependency on a single foreign supplier creates a vulnerability that could affect not only the Tejas Mk-1A but also the upcoming AMCA, which is planned to use GE-414 engines in its early versions. Without a reliable indigenous engine program, India will remain exposed to external decisions beyond its control.

The AMCA program has government approval and funding, but its timeline is also under discussion. Current plans aim for a prototype by 2027 to 2028 and induction around 2034. Analysts point out that previous Indian aircraft projects faced significant delays, which raises doubts about whether these schedules can be met. The Navy’s Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) is also running behind earlier targets, with its first flight now likely only towards the end of the decade.

A recurring issue is the ability of HAL to meet deadlines. The company is currently handling multiple projects, including Tejas, AMCA, Su-30 upgrades, helicopters, and trainers. Capacity constraints, workforce challenges, and reliance on imported subsystems affect delivery schedules. To address this, the government has involved private companies in AMCA production. While this may improve capacity, coordination between HAL and private industry will be critical.

Engines remain the most critical gap. India’s indigenous engine projects have yet to produce an operational fighter engine, and unless this gap is closed, dependency on suppliers like GE will remain the biggest threat to achieving true self-reliance.

These concerns raise several important questions: Can HAL deliver Tejas Mk-1A aircraft at the promised rate? Will AMCA meet its development milestones without significant delays? How effectively will private industry be integrated into high-technology manufacturing? And can India close the gap in engine development to reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and protect itself from future restrictions?

Harinarayana’s position aligns with the government’s current emphasis on indigenous defence manufacturing. The experience of the Tejas shows that India can design and build advanced fighters despite challenges. With projects such as AMCA, TEDBF, and indigenous drones under development, the pathway toward greater self-reliance is in place. The main challenge now lies in ensuring that these programs are delivered on schedule and are not disrupted by external supply risks.