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In a significant disclosure regarding India's future combat aviation roadmap, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed it is actively exploring options to acquire fifth-generation fighter capabilities to bridge a critical operational gap.
The admission came from Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, during the inaugural ANI National Security Summit.
During the summit, Air Marshal Dixit provided a candid assessment of the IAF’s modernisation trajectory. He acknowledged that while the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme is a priority, there remains a substantial timeline before it enters service.
Consequently, the Air Force is currently examining measures to secure interim fifth-generation capabilities to ensure India does not fall behind technologically.
Bridging the Capability Void
"We are currently evaluating how to effectively bridge the gap in fifth-generation capabilities until the AMCA is fully operational," Air Marshal Dixit stated.He emphasised that the current focus is on defining precise operational requirements rather than immediately shortlisting specific aircraft. "We have established a clear list of requirements, though we are not yet at the stage to publicly discuss specific platforms under consideration."
This development highlights a pressing strategic challenge for the IAF.
Although the AMCA project—India’s indigenous stealth fighter programme—is progressing, production and operational induction are projected for the mid-2030s. This creates a vulnerability window of approximately a decade.
Senior IAF leadership is acutely aware that maintaining credible deterrence is vital during this interim period, particularly as neighbouring adversaries, specifically China and Pakistan, continue to induct and develop advanced stealth platforms and networked air assets.
Strategic Implications and Global Options
Air Marshal Dixit’s comments have reignited discussions regarding potential foreign contenders that could serve as a stopgap measure. Defence analysts have long speculated that India may look towards established fifth-generation platforms to fill this void.The Russian Su-57 Felon and the American F-35 Lightning II are frequently cited as the primary candidates available in the global market, alongside potential future collaboration on European sixth-generation fighter programmes.
While the IAF maintains that no final decision has been made regarding these specific foreign jets, the Air Marshal’s remarks confirm that the acquisition of an interim stealth fighter is now an active part of strategic planning, moving beyond mere speculation.
A Multi-Pronged Modernisation Approach
The search for an interim stealth fighter runs parallel to the IAF's existing tactical roadmap.The force is already committed to inducting the indigenous Tejas Mk1A and the future Tejas Mk2 to replace ageing Soviet-era fleets.
Additionally, comprehensive upgrades are underway for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29 squadrons to keep them relevant in modern warfare.
However, the pursuit of a fifth-generation platform remains a distinct and urgent priority.
This drive is necessitated by evolving combat doctrines that prioritise low observability (stealth), sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare—capabilities that older generation aircraft, even with upgrades, cannot fully replicate.
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