IAF Urgently Needs At Least 60 Foreign 5th-Gen Fighters as Stopgap Measures to Counter China-Pak Stealth Threats

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recommended the urgent acquisition of approximately 60 fifth-generation fighter aircraft to counter growing and advanced aerial threats from China and Pakistan.

According to senior officials, this proposed procurement of at least three squadrons is considered a critical interim measure to ensure India maintains a combat edge in the region.

This move comes as India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) is reportedly considering offers for two of the world's leading stealth fighters: the American-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 Felon.

While detailed negotiations are being handled directly by the MoD, a final decision on the multi-billion dollar deal is anticipated by 2026.

The procurement is seen as essential to bridge a critical capability gap until India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is operational.

The primary driver for this urgent recommendation is the evolving security landscape, particularly the strategic alignment between China and Pakistan.

China has already inducted over 200 of its J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ stealth fighters, which are armed with long-range PL-15 missiles capable of hitting targets between 200 and 300 kilometres away.

Concurrently, Pakistan is modernising its air force with aircraft like the J-10CE, also equipped with the export version of the PL-15 missile. This creates a potential two-front challenge for India’s air defence network.

Defence experts have also pointed to emerging threats like high-altitude drone swarms, which are designed to overwhelm and deplete an adversary's missile defences.

A modern fifth-generation fighter provides an effective counter through a combination of key technologies: low-observable (stealth) characteristics to evade radar, supercruise ability to fly at supersonic speeds without using fuel-intensive afterburners, and advanced networked warfare capabilities to dominate the battlespace.

A senior IAF official confirmed that the proposed 60 jets would serve as a vital "stopgap" until the home-grown AMCA project comes to fruition.

The AMCA, being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is envisioned as a 5.5-generation platform and is a cornerstone of India's long-term air power strategy.

However, with the aircraft still in its design and early development phase, its induction into service is not expected before 2035. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recently approved the initial development phase of the AMCA, but mass production remains over a decade away.

While the IAF's current fleet includes formidable 4.5-generation aircraft like the 36 Dassault Rafales (equipped with Meteor missiles) and over 270 Sukhoi Su-30MKIs, it lacks a true stealth fighter.

The acquisition of a proven foreign platform would provide the IAF with a much-needed stealth capability to counter high-threat environments and maintain air superiority in the Indian Ocean Region.

 

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[emgee]

Greetings from Europe. Care to define 'urgent'?
Neither the Americans nor the Russians can deliver a fleet of 60 aircraft in anything like the timeframe that would satisfy any reasonable definition of 'urgent'.

 

[OlegO]

And even: "as Stopgap Measures"... Excuse me, I'm petrified the ease with which requiring decades.

 

[pgahlot]

We should go for SU-57 as Russia is ready for TOT and ready for make in India as well. HAL already have good experience in making Russian jets (SU-30 MKI). F-35 is always with many strings attached and they won't allow our own missiles to be added on it.

 

[sanket]

Good. I have been saying at least 2 to 3 squads of Su-57. With commonality with Super Sukhoi, both platforms can have commonality as well as customized variants. With MRO, it will end dependency on foreign. That figure from 60 will touch 100 with Make in India for remaining jets. Common weaponry as well as sensors and avionics from Super Sukhoi, Su-57 to AMCA, and vice versa. Some good tech/features from Su-57 to Super Sukhoi, as well as AMCA, and some indigenously developed tech/features for AMCA can be integrated on Su-57 too. Overall, one platform can bring commonality to three to four platforms.

 

[Flanker]

Lol so MRFA is dead then 😂😂

 

[Flanker]

I would say, go for F-35 if the US allows customisation like F-35I.

 

[king dorm]

F-35 is a no-go for sure. F-35s come with lots of strings attached; we practically have to ask for USA permission every time we want to use it. Su-57 is the only legit choice. And as for CAATSA, we have to make USA happy by buying some more drones, maybe some defence tech or other things.

 

[king dorm]

I would say, go for F-35 if the US allows customisation like F-35I.

F-35s will always be monitored by USA. We will have to rely on USA for weapons, updates, and everything. Even USA will have a say on where we can or cannot use those planes.

If we buy F-35s, we are officially becoming Team USA.

 

[king dorm]

Lol so MRFA is dead then 😂😂

Buying 4th or 4.5 gen at this stage and spending billions on them is actually counterintuitive. Instead, buying a small batch of 5th gen and building more Tejas, and working on AMCA seems a better choice.

 

[Kickasser]

Why not fulfill the whole MMRCA tender with these? Why go for piecemeal acquisition again?

 

[Ashwin .R]

Buying 4th or 4.5 gen at this stage and spending billions on them is actually counterintuitive. Instead, buying a small batch of 5th gen and building more Tejas, and working on AMCA seems a better choice.

Nope, we can work on alternatives like defence systems. Recently, we had breakthroughs in advanced 5th-gen tracking radars; we just need to use them for defence systems.

 

[king dorm]

Nope, we can work on alternatives like defence systems. Recently, we had breakthroughs in advanced 5th-gen tracking radars; we just need to use them for defence systems.

Of course, we can't compete with China and Pakistan together on numbers; they will always have more jets than us. So, yes, we have to focus more on air defence. But we still need at least a small batch of 5th-gen for air superiority for protecting our skies and countering enemy jets, at least for the next 10 years until our AMCA comes into production.

 

[Prateek]

Good. I have been saying at least 2 to 3 squads of Su-57. With commonality with Super Sukhoi, both platforms can have commonality as well as customized variants. With MRO, it will end dependency on foreign. That figure from 60 will touch 100 with Make in India for remaining jets. Common weaponry as well as sensors and avionics from Super Sukhoi, Su-57 to AMCA, and vice versa. Some good tech/features from Su-57 to Super Sukhoi, as well as AMCA, and some indigenously developed tech/features for AMCA can be integrated on Su-57 too. Overall, one platform can bring commonality to three to four platforms.

Su-57 is not a fifth-gen plane.

 

[Madhur Sharma]

Su-57 is not a fifth-gen plane.

Yeah but can serve as stopgap. also US won't give us F-35 or if they will, they can cripple it by denying spares if we use it in combats US doesn't like.

 

[Mc Addy]

Who can make a jet on urgent basis to fill a stop gap need ?which country would do it ? Maybe China can ! We can buy and they will sell also , it will be a twist that will destroy Pakistan military,if it happens . any ways , imagination apart, the way the planes are falling out of sky , somthing must be done to atleast keep them in proper shape and buy second hand similiar aircrafts with 5 years Airframe life ,like Mirage 2000,Jaguar and intresting fact is Eurofighter typhoon needs orders in plenty to Survive as F35 is a total failure after Kerla Fiasco . So buy second hand Eurofighter now form Spain ,Italy and plug the gap as it fire same ammo as Rafael. Rest we will see later.

 

[sanket]

Su-57 is not a fifth-gen plane.

Actually, the F-35 is not a true 5th-Gen, while the Su-57 is a true 5th-Gen. First, study the definition of 5th-Gen, then reply. An advantage with the Su-57 is that it comes with a drone called Okhotnik, which the F-35 lacks even in 2025. The Su-57 can be operated as a stand-off aircraft, and Okhotnik can perform combat missions with its payload capacity of 2.8 tonnes and combat range of 1400 km for neutralising SEAD/DEAD missions without risking human life directly.

 

[Mango_Indian]

Good development after MMRCA paralysis for ~15 years. But at least 4-6 squadrons are needed. We also need to immediately exercise the follow-on clause for the 36 Rafales. This will get us 36 Rafales for less than ~$5 billion as we have already paid for India-specific improvements. This will give us cushion for 5 years till HAL matures Tejas Mk2 and hopefully AMCA.

Decision needs to be taken immediately. No delays.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

No matter what everyone says, this is needed. Ninety-seven more Mk1As, a private MRFA line for 114, another 3-4 squadrons of fifth-gen, and another 3-4 squadrons of Super Sukhoi orders are needed in the next 5-6 years if we really want to secure our borders with the estimated squadron number of 42. Almost 223 fighter jets are going to retire within the next 10-15 years, all 40-50 years old. We are already operating at 30-31 squadrons. So 223 + 12 x 18 = 221, almost 444 fighters, which means 24-25 squadrons are needed. A decision needs to be taken immediately. No delays.

 

[Madhur Sharma]

Actually, the F-35 is not a true 5th-Gen, while the Su-57 is a true 5th-Gen. First, study the definition of 5th-Gen, then reply. An advantage with the Su-57 is that it comes with a drone called Okhotnik, which the F-35 lacks even in 2025. The Su-57 can be operated as a stand-off aircraft, and Okhotnik can perform combat missions with its payload capacity of 2.8 tonnes and combat range of 1400 km for neutralising SEAD/DEAD missions without risking human life directly.

From Wikipedia, "The characteristics of a fifth-generation fighter are not universally agreed upon, and not every fifth-generation type necessarily has them all; however, they typically include stealth, low-probability-of-intercept radar (LPIR), agile airframes with supercruise performance, advanced avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the battlespace for situational awareness and C3 (command, control and communications) capabilities." The Su-57 lacks in stealth (as compared to other platforms), which is a major aspect of 5th-gen aircraft. I'll be very happy if you correct me.

 

[JB]

This acquisition will take about 10 years to complete and therefore not likely to see the light of day. Meanwhile statements by the MoD are political posturing and intended to keep the enemy off balance. Under the circumstances the only logical undertaking would be to pursue the AMCA project with resolve and complete it in a timely manner through academic public and private collaboration. To mitigate risks it would be appropriate to start parallel development of a sixth.generation fighter jet at this time.

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

36 Nos. Su-57s, 36 Nos. Rafales, and 36 Nos. Super Sukhois will be an ideal choice.

 

[DB_NE_Guy]

I would say, go for F-35 if the US allows customisation like F-35I.

US will demand concessions:

• Will ask India to do away with S-400 or even future procurement of S-500.
• Demand closer monitoring due to closer defence ties with Russia.
• If not, spare parts will be withheld...

US always does this, doesn't it?

 

[Mc Addy]

No cure to stop gap feel good planning as now we have a real problem,the Rafael ,is the problem that is in our neck now after billions of dollars spent along with time , if Trumph is to be believed, 5 were shot down , meaning Chinese missiles are homing on its radar mostly despite eccm and they have its source code then to home on its frequency correctly ,overriding decoy radar signatures ,if what's being spoken by Trumph is a fact as he must have some satellite or some evidence to support, so he speaks but we don't care . This is shear discomfort with France and it's prime jet,that failed to deliver is sure in war of May 2025 .All happens in war but this controversy is not ending , so Rafael will end .

 

[Dr. Munish Kumar Sharma]

Dear Defence Analysts,

Kindly keep in mind some points before supporting any so-called 5th Gen. Fighter Aircraft:

1. China is a potential threat to India, as not only is it deploying its latest copied, R&D-modified 5th and 6th generation fighter jets along the Indian borders, but also equipping (or planning to equip) its proxies, i.e., Pakistan and Bangladesh, with modern warfare technology.
2. Reports about the use of Chinese equipment in the Su-57 neutralize its combat utility in a real combat scenario with China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.
3. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has paralyzed the Russian aviation industry from working on a rapid scale to address both domestic and export needs.
4. It's true that Russia is offering us maximum transfer of technology with the latest Hypersonic missiles, but it lacks the potential to deliver its export commitment on time in the present scenario.
5. The Su-57 is still under development, and only two or three squadrons are in service in Russia, which questions the utility of the Su-57 alone in a joint adversary threat situation.
6. On the contrary, the F-35-II is a war-proven 5th Generation Fighter Aircraft which is used by many countries, although it carries many challenges.
7. American pro-business policies are the worst challenges to overcome, as they create uneasy positions for their defence product users.
8. The high-cost value of every single unit, along with lots of user conditions, leaves the F-35 as a risky bet.
9. We can’t equip our domestic Astra and other missiles on the F-35, which ensures its coastlines in a war scenario.
10. Per-hour fuel consumption of the F-35 can evaporate our defence budget in lengthy conflict situations.

Hence, considering the above points, it will be better to concentrate on our own AMCA with full potential.

In order to counter any emergency, we should go for three squadrons each of F-35 and Su-57. But it needs a lot of potential to crack such deals with both Russia and the USA.