Pitching for developing indigenous capabilities for defence manufacturing, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Friday said the Indian Air Force would prefer a "homegrown" system even if it gives "slightly lesser performance". Speaking at the Chanakya Dialogues conclave here on the theme of "Bharat 2047: Atmanirbhar In War", the Air Force chief also said that there is a need for manufacturing at least 35-40 military aircraft in India every year and stressed the target is not impossible to meet. He said the IAF's first priority when it comes to acquisition, is "anything that is homegrown". "So I'm very convinced in my mind that even if a homegrown system gives me a slightly lesser performance... if it is 90 percent or 85 percent of what I get in the world market, we will go for homegrown system because that is the only way we can get over with always looking outward to get our systems," he said. "But at the same time, a homegrown system cannot just happen overnight. It will take time and