Analysis How India's Potential F-35A Acquisition and Indigenous AMCA Could Reshape South Asian Air Power Dynamics, Outpacing Pak's J-35 and KAAN

The South Asian air power landscape is poised for a significant shift as India considers acquiring the F-35A Lightning II fighter jet alongside its ongoing development of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

This move comes as Pakistan explores options to bolster its own fleet with fifth-generation stealth fighters, including the Chinese J-35A and the Turkish KAAN.

Pakistan is reportedly looking to acquire the J-35A, a twin-engine carrier-based stealth fighter developed by China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. While boasting features comparable to the F-35, the J-35A is believed to have less advanced avionics and engine performance. Pakistan, with its strong military ties to China, could be the first international customer for this jet.

In addition to the J-35A, Pakistan is also considering the Turkish KAAN fighter, a twin-engine fifth-generation aircraft currently under development by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI). Turkey has invited Pakistan to collaborate on the KAAN project, potentially paving the way for Pakistan to acquire these jets in the 2030s.

The combination of J-35A and KAAN fighters could significantly enhance the Pakistan Air Force's capabilities, posing a challenge to India's current air superiority. However, India's potential acquisition of the F-35A, coupled with the development of the AMCA, is anticipated to provide a robust counter to these advancements.

Should India acquire the F-35A, it would mark a historic moment, as it would be the first F-35 operator in 75 years to not have previously flown American-built fighter jets.

The F-35A's cutting-edge stealth technology, advanced sensor fusion, and electronic warfare capabilities would grant India a significant advantage. The F-35A's low observability and network-centric warfare capabilities would enable India to effectively deny airspace access to Pakistani fighters.

Moreover, its advanced AN/APG-81 AESA radar and Distributed Aperture System (DAS) would allow India to track and engage stealth aircraft like the J-35A and KAAN.

In beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat, the F-35A, armed with AIM-120D and AIM-260 JATM missiles, is expected to outperform China's PL-15 and Turkey's Göktuğ missiles.

Furthermore, the F-35A's stealth and electronic warfare capabilities would allow India to conduct precision strikes deep within enemy territory without detection.

Complementing the F-35A, India is developing its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the AMCA. A product of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the AMCA is expected to enter production by 2035.

The AMCA offers India several key advantages, including indigenous control over technology, unlike Pakistan's reliance on foreign-developed fighters. The AMCA is projected to have stealth capabilities comparable to the J-35A and KAAN, with superior electronic warfare and sensor fusion capabilities compared to Chinese platforms.

Furthermore, the AMCA will be integrated with Indian-developed missiles like the Astra Mk2, Astra Mk3, and future hypersonic weapons.

F-35A and AMCA vs J-35A and KAAN: Key Advantages for India​

Feature	F-35A + AMCA (India)	J-35A + KAAN (Pakistan)
Stealth	F-35A: Best in class; AMCA: Advanced stealth	J-35A: Inferior to F-35; KAAN: Still in development
Radar & Sensors	F-35: AN/APG-81 AESA + DAS; AMCA: Indigenous Uttam AESA radar	J-35A: Chinese AESA (likely weaker); KAAN: Still in testing
Weapons	AIM-120D, AIM-260, Astra Mk3, hypersonic missiles	PL-15, Göktuğ (under development)
Network Warfare	F-35: Best in the world; AMCA: Designed for network-centric operations	Limited integration, China-Turkey tech collaboration
Production Readiness	F-35: Already operational; AMCA: 2035	J-35A: In testing; KAAN: Uncertain

By acquiring the F-35A, India would gain immediate fifth-generation air superiority in the region, effectively neutralizing Pakistan's efforts to acquire similar capabilities.

Simultaneously, the AMCA program ensures India's long-term self-reliance in advanced fighter technology, contrasting with Pakistan's dependence on China and Turkey. A combined fleet of F-35As, AMCA, and Rafale F4s would solidify India's air dominance not only in South Asia but also in the broader Indo-Pacific region.

 

[govindarajan]

It is highly unlikely the US will sell F35 to India because of India's closeness to Russia. Further the chinese fighter aircraft are unreliable and who will pay for these planes as pakistan is already bankrupt. The media can hype the Pakistani empty threat but the bottom line is no money. Furthermore as of now both china and Pakistan has to face the mighty Rafael first and the gen opinion is 1 Rafael= to 5 chinese fighters.

 

[Devendra Mall]

India should immediately go for 90 F35A and 90 Su57. This will keep China and Pak at bay for next 25yrs. And by that time India may keep trying AMCA etc etc. It is better to have the bedt even in small numbers

 

[Prem Jain]

Good news is that US has thought of giving stealth fighter to Bharath. We should be aware about the kill switch in previous supplies to other nations, our sovereignty must not be compromised, AMCA must be pursued with all dedication and commitment. This can be considered as an opportunity to gain the lost ground and our aim must not be allowed to slip away i.e AMCA

 

[Monil Patel]

Thing is clear that neither china or turkey can't make a thing close to f35 china fears f35 so we should go for the best amca would take too much time and delivery of f35 should be before 2030 or else we would be so behind that we won't be able to match at all if trump pressure modi on f35 that's the best thing because our bureaucracy will kill amca like they killed Tejas so we can just acquire and can't make until all these projects come under PMO and leaded by army officers not by bureaucrats,but on a personal level I'm done we won't buy f35 and our amca would never come mark my words .

 

[Ramkumar]

You are absolutely correct. We can protect ourselves with the present fire power. We should better focus on the project AMCA. Otherwise we have to be permanently depended on foreign technologies. We are in right shape. No need to be worried for 5th generation fighter jet. Because our aim not to invade other countries. We are strong enough in missile technology. We are atomic power country. If we can slowly but steadily develop engine for fighter jet that will be the permanent boost to our fire power. Even if the out come of the project get up as a result of 4th generation jet engine.That will be the best answer to our neighbouring countries.

 

[Steel Mathi]

I am disgusted by your comparison...

Even if Pakistan gets 5th generation aircraft and India doesn't get 5th generation aircraft, India can easily deal with Pakistan... All their airfields can be easily hit with India's Brahmos and other missiles. Also India's air defense capability is very strong or will become strong in a very short period of time... But Pakistan's air defense capability is questionable...

Please don't compare with Pakistan... There is another country near us with 5th and 6th generation aircraft which is strong and they are our biggest threat... Let's compare and improve with them

 

[Hari Sud]

Chinese J-35 is much inferior. Chinese make a lot of noise of their copied achievements.

 

[मित्र]

LoL, here comes the F-35 sales pitch 😂

Means we never learned from the past and still trust them. Remember, Trump won't be there always.

 

[OlegO]

Good news... From experience of other countries: one combat-ready squadron a minimum of ten years at the time the contract- production, infrastructure, training... Regards.

 

[Diganta Ghosh]

How does Pakistan have the budget to maintain two types of 5th gen and here I am thinking how will IAF be able to maintain 100+ AMCA, 100+ Tejas Mk2, 100+ Tejas Mk1, 100+ Super Sukhoi, 36-54 F-35 or Su-57?

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

I wonder where Pakistan is getting this money. I mean, their defence budget is just 7-8 billion. It's strange. They are buying submarines, jets, etc. with this limited budget. How? But India cannot afford to have Pakistan's 5th-gen jet, so India has to go for the F-35.

 

[PKPRS]

LoL, here comes the F-35 sales pitch 😂

Means we never learned from the past and still trust them. Remember, Trump won't be there always.

That’s the biggest problem, these guys will take 4 years to sign the deal, before we receive the first one there is a possibility of Administration change and we will be back to square one.

 

[Arz786]

How does Pakistan have the budget to maintain two types of 5th gen and here I am thinking how will IAF be able to maintain 100+ AMCA, 100+ Tejas Mk2, 100+ Tejas Mk1, 100+ Super Sukhoi, 36-54 F-35 or Su-57?

Pakistan does not have to pay market price for Chinese military hardware. J 35 is what Chinese will donate to Pakistan to counter the common enemy - India.

 

[Dredd]

I wonder where Pakistan is getting this money. I mean, their defence budget is just 7-8 billion. It's strange. They are buying submarines, jets, etc. with this limited budget. How? But India cannot afford to have Pakistan's 5th-gen jet, so India has to go for the F-35.

It's the world's greatest mystery. They got 120+ JF-17, 26 J10, 30+ F-16 (from Jordan), and many refurbished Mirages in the last decade and are going to get 30+ more JF-17 MK3 and 40 odd J-35 in the next 5 years. No one knows how they are going to pay or if they already paid.

 

[Dredd]

I am disgusted by your comparison...

Even if Pakistan gets 5th generation aircraft and India doesn't get 5th generation aircraft, India can easily deal with Pakistan... All their airfields can be easily hit with India's Brahmos and other missiles. Also India's air defense capability is very strong or will become strong in a very short period of time... But Pakistan's air defense capability is questionable...

Please don't compare with Pakistan... There is another country near us with 5th and 6th generation aircraft which is strong and they are our biggest threat... Let's compare and improve with them

Any major war with pakistan or china is going to be 2 front war, China is not making pak it's slave for nothing, It needs pak to divert indian arms force in case of war.

 

[Enforcer]

I wonder where Pakistan is getting this money. I mean, their defence budget is just 7-8 billion. It's strange. They are buying submarines, jets, etc. with this limited budget. How? But India cannot afford to have Pakistan's 5th-gen jet, so India has to go for the F-35.

Their army sells everything in Pakistan. They sell wheat, cement, sugar, petrol, and fertilizer under the Brand name Fauji Foundation. Look it up. It's a wholly owned and controlled company by their military. They make a lot of money from there too.

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

The manned fighter would possibly never fight against one another. The fight will be with drones and loyal wingman aircraft that would fly 500 km ahead in airspace and do the actual fighting using long-range missiles. If we have the mindset that human will fight human using human-driven aircraft, we are in a WW2 mindset.

 

[Indian1]

Trump seems to be ignorant of India's S 400.

 

[Ayush raj]

Any major war with pakistan or china is going to be 2 front war, China is not making pak it's slave for nothing, It needs pak to divert indian arms force in case of war.

I understand what you are saying, but that is not how war is going to be fought. But anyway, I am seeing that around 2080-90 we would have depleted all the major mines and resources of Earth and start fighting over the resources of other planets, asteroids, etc. in our solar system, so we definitely need to build our own military capabilities. Then only we can become a major power and survive in the future; otherwise, we would be like ants getting under the foots when bigger elephants and animals fight.

 

[Ayush raj]

How does Pakistan have the budget to maintain two types of 5th gen and here I am thinking how will IAF be able to maintain 100+ AMCA, 100+ Tejas Mk2, 100+ Tejas Mk1, 100+ Super Sukhoi, 36-54 F-35 or Su-57?

From a vassal state of the USA to now China, Pakistan has come a long way. When they were with the Americans, they got dollars to operate their military, and the same when they are with China, they get money to operate from China so that India can't fully focus and target China if a war-like situation arises. It can open two fronts with the help of Pakistan and divert resources of India on both borders, so our offenses along the Chinese borders weaken. That is the only reason why China is farming Pakistan as a scapegoat just to counterbalance India because China also knows India is growing and will be on the same height which China is today, and they don't want to take on India alone.

 

[Anand S Jha]

You forgot J20 and bombers of China, breakfast for F35 and AMCA.

 

[Alok Gupta]

I don't think we need comparison with Pakistan. We nee dto compare with China. IAF needs to keep the Chinese J-20 and J-35 at arm's length. Acquisition of 40 F-35s will achieve just that. Pakistan will have brown pant syndrom as soon as the F-35s land in India under the IAF flag.

 

[Surfer]

I wonder where Pakistan is getting this money. I mean, their defence budget is just 7-8 billion. It's strange. They are buying submarines, jets, etc. with this limited budget. How? But India cannot afford to have Pakistan's 5th-gen jet, so India has to go for the F-35.

Many Countries in Middle East, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Chinese loans.

 

[Sambit Ranjan]

I am 💯 % sure the name of F-35 is just being used as a Lolipop by Trump administration to force India to buy other US fighters. They will never Offer India F-35 as we are S400 user. Or else the terms will be transfer our S400s to USA for their research.