The Indian Air Force (IAF) is not currently considering the acquisition of American F-35 stealth fighter jets, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh confirmed recently. This comes despite informal suggestions from the U.S. administration regarding a potential sale.
Speaking at a public event, the Air Chief Marshal stressed the need for a comprehensive evaluation of any new fighter acquisition, highlighting the complexities beyond the aircraft's advanced capabilities.
"A fighter jet acquisition is not a simple purchase," Air Chief Marshal Singh explained. "We need to carefully analyze our requirements, the associated costs, and all the logistical implications. It's not like buying a household appliance. No formal offer has been made, and we haven't given it [the F-35] serious consideration yet."
The F-35, a fifth-generation fighter renowned for its stealth technology, advanced sensors, and AI-powered combat systems, comes with a hefty price tag – estimated at around $80 million per unit.
Furthermore, reports have surfaced questioning its operational readiness, with a recent U.S. report highlighting concerns about its performance. The aircraft's availability rate in the U.S. Air Force was reported as just 51%.
A key concern is the integration of the F-35 into the existing IAF infrastructure. Experts suggest that incorporating the F-35 would present significant logistical challenges.
Ashley J. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, stated that any F-35 acquisition would likely be a direct sale, which goes against India's "Make in India" initiative focused on domestic defence production.
Additionally, the stringent end-user monitoring requirements associated with F-35 sales are unlikely to be favored by India.
India's current fighter fleet is facing challenges with aging aircraft and a decreasing number of operational squadrons. According to Christopher Clary, a political scientist at the University of Albany, India's fleet has shrunk by 151 aircraft over the past decade, while China has significantly expanded its air power. The IAF's sanctioned strength is 42 fighter squadrons, but it currently operates only 30.
India's plans involve acquiring over 500 new aircraft in the coming years, primarily focusing on indigenous platforms. The domestically produced Tejas Mark 1A is already on order, with further orders expected.
The more advanced Tejas Mark 2 and the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter, are under development. However, the AMCA is not expected to be operational until around 2035.
The Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, aimed at acquiring foreign-built jets with technology transfer, has been stalled since 2019. Experts cite funding shortages, bureaucratic delays, and reliance on foreign manufacturers as major obstacles to India's fighter jet modernization efforts.
Adding to the complexity of the regional security landscape, the U.S. recently approved $397 million in funding for the maintenance of Pakistan's F-16 fighter fleet. This move, which reverses a 2018 decision to cut security aid to Pakistan, has raised concerns in India, particularly given the use of F-16s by Pakistan in past aerial engagements.
Air Chief Marshal Singh has acknowledged the IAF's current numerical shortfall, stating the urgency and need to find solution. “At the moment, we all know that we are very badly off when it comes to numbers [of fighters]. And the numbers which were promised are also coming a little slow. So, there will be a requirement to go and look for something which can quickly fill up these voids,”.
The slow pace of indigenous fighter development, coupled with evolving regional threats, presents the IAF with a critical decision: prioritize the long-term vision of a self-reliant air force or consider short-term acquisitions to address immediate needs.
Experts suggest that India is unlikely to pursue either the F-35 or the Russian Su-57. Instead, a combination of limited, off-the-shelf purchases to fill urgent gaps and an accelerated push for indigenous programs, particularly the AMCA, may be the most likely path forward.
"For India, the future of airpower isn't just about buying jets—it's about building them," stated Rahul Bhatia, an analyst at Eurasia Group.
The ultimate decision rests on India's ability to expedite its domestic defence programs and navigate a complex geopolitical environment. While the F-35 remains a distant prospect, the focus remains firmly on strengthening India's indigenous capabilities.
