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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[Python]

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

USA will never offer that customisation to anyone except Israel. You think they will offer that? 🤣

 

[Sandeep]

India had no intention of going ahead with such an expensive MRFA competition at all. This issue was mainly kept alive purely to placate the foreign countries who wanted to sell their jets and earn billions at our own expense.

Our focus needs to be on fixing and increase our manufacturing capabilities and make the Tejas MK1A jets on time in large numbers. We should also quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and AMCA prototypes which will be our main offensive power which is what we the most. After they manufacture it then they should immediately start running the tests and certify our indigenous technology, equipment and weapons which will take a few years.

With both deals purchasing just 3 squadron jets will not be enough to set up an indigenous manufacturing line, no technology transferred, have a high costs in setting up housing bases, MRO facilities or allow us to use our own indigenous missiles and bombs. This will leave us completely reliant and defenceless on foreign countries who are at war with each other but not directly as they use a proxy and a 3rd country

At the same time we should increase and improve our integrated air defence systems. We need more stealth and hypersonic detection radars installed and more modern SAM inducted. We need the VL-SRSAM, Akash NG, QRSAM and Project Kusha. Those four new missiles will be much better, have a longer range, faster speed and better radio frequency radar, lighter missiles, deployed in a canister, has a longer shelf life than the Akash missiles we currently have, use and lack compared with the above advantages. The Akash missile is still very good and performed flawlessly against Pakistan's missiles, jet or drone use in this war.

 

[Avada kedavra]

I have a feeling Su-57 should be the one to go for. But only under two conditions:

1. Entire avionics and electronic warfare suite should be made by India only. India should build it under licence production like Su-30MKI but with an even greater share of Indian components. There should be larger tech transfer for the Izdeliye 177 engine than the AL-31FP.
2. The IAF should use it as just a beefed-up version of the Su-30 and not like a true stealth plane like the F-35, F-22, or the B-2 bomber. It should only be used to plug in the current shortage of fighter jets.

 

[Mayank Shukla]

Russia is so willing and so vulnerable at this moment and further sidelined from the world due to the Ukraine war. This is a golden time to get everything made in ToT at a dirt cheap price, also with AMCA help.

In fact, India should rather become a business partner of Russia.

Everything else has non-ToT, not even source code at $300 million, no Make in India, no compatibility with existing infra.

Too many restrictions. Too high operational cost.

 

[Ankit]

Good, but IAF should procure at least 100 / 5 squadrons along with 64 more Rafales, so the total number will be 200 or 10 squadrons. IAF should understand that AMCA is not a reality before 2035/2037, and the real threat is hundreds of J-20s along with J-35s. This will make more sense as when we commit to 100 Su-57/F-35s, it will put pressure for more ToT or other benefits for us. Also, this will help to increase our depleting fleet of IAF.

 

[India20XX]

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.

Though I think I am in favour of the SU-57, due to its origin, ToT, right to modify, and being without strings provided.

But the F-35 is in a whole new world. We are building a fifth-generation plane, we never had a chance to examine a fifth-generation plane, and no one will ever provide one. But the US has decades of experience building and operating stealth fighters, with a very high degree of advanced tech in them.

If we go with the SU-57, skipping the F-35, we may never be able to have hands-on experience with a true stealth fighter and the tech in it, since we do not know how stealthy the SU-57 is.My suggestion would be to go with small numbers of F-35s with conditions of a high degree of autonomy; no go without it.

 

[Lav Dabral]

India is stuck with both a dilemma and a harsh reality. India's all-weather ally, Russia, is stuck in war, unable to deliver SU-57 on time or help with MRO, like what's happening with the balance S-400 deliveries. Cost and operational benefit-wise, that's the best option India has. The US F-35 or any other machine from them not only comes with a high cost but also brings more operational costs, that too, with combat operations restrictions. You cannot trust the USA the way it makes decisions.

Indigenous platforms are in limbo by HAL, and it's a big shame they are threatening the government and suggesting going solely for AMCA with HAL rather than going for a consortium with help from private partners.

One last but not least, India should consider a project run by the UK, Europe, and Japan as a co-partner for the development of the 5th generation. We all know by this they want to sell more units to India. This will be more result-oriented and beneficial from a learning perspective, plus provide hands-on experience to develop next-generation platforms indigenously.

 

[Akshat Kumar Agarwal]

If India goes with the Su-57, then India will not get the GE engine, which means it's endgame for Tejas. Also, there are CAATSA sanctions. So, right now, it's highly unlikely that India will go for the Su-57. Additionally, India came out of this project due to poor stealth, non-advanced avionics, and the engine, plus the China chip. So, the actual option is the F-35.

 

[sujith sudhakaran]

My opinion: go for the SU-57 and use it as a test bed for AMCA technology, like we use our SU-30s. This way, we can fast-track AMCA technology validation without many prototypes, and we will have a stopgap solution and a transitioning platform.

 

[Somebody]

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.

It is much better than Rafale in stealth, 360* situational awareness with 6 AESA radars, four infrared sensors, 4 UV MAWS sensors, and laser CMs, better than anything China has. That’s all we want. China or Pakistan doesn’t have F-35 or F-22 for us to fight against. Right now it lacks rear stealth; with a flat nozzle and AL-51 engine even that will be fixed. It is 1000 times better than buying 4th gen Rafale for MRFA, including cost-wise.

 

[Amit Ray]

If India goes with the Su-57, then India will not get the GE engine, which means it's endgame for Tejas. Also, there are CAATSA sanctions. So, right now, it's highly unlikely that India will go for the Su-57. Additionally, India came out of this project due to poor stealth, non-advanced avionics, and the engine, plus the China chip. So, the actual option is the F-35.

Never. USA is not that reliable, plus there's an end-user agreement; they will come and monitor the fighter jets. If not allowed, then no spares. There is also a kill switch and, above all, you need to build fresh infrastructure. It's extremely expensive to operate and maintain, so why take so much headache?

 

[Bks98]

F-35 won't fit in IAF. You need to buy all arm packages from US as third-party arms can't be integrated in F-35. So, buying Su-57 with a new engine with full technology transfer like BrahMos with R-37M and Indian radar, missiles fitted in it. The only concern is Su-57 is not battle-tested. Even the Russian Air Force has limited purchases.

 

[binu boro]

India should forget about MRFA and Tejas MK1A. When other countries are producing 5th Gen and working on 6th Gen, what will 4.5 Gen Tejas and MRFA projects help? Since China already has 200+ J20s and is targeting beyond 1000, and also producing J35 for Pakistan, it is best for us to go initially for three squadrons of SU57. Even though the SU57 is not battle-tested, it is still better than Chinese aircraft and is a better choice for India than to go for F35, which has so many strings attached.

Further, while buying SU57, India should strictly go for TOT of the engine plus local production of SU57 in India with a promise to buy two more squadrons and the rest for exports. Only if we have engine technology can we move forward with our AMCA project; otherwise, it will forever be in prototype stages.

 

[Balaji Krishna]

US will never deliver F-35 even if we get into an expensive deal with them for this platform that is thoroughly incompatible with India's command and control system. The US will also be wary that India has a strong partnership with Russia and wouldn't want to give its platform to us. India should stick to SU-57 or only improvise with rocket force and stealth UAV instead of any manned platform.

 

[Krishna]

India shall buy three squadrons off-the-shelf Su-57s with Virupaksha radars, and R-37, Kh-69, and Astra Mk2 integrated to make it a Super Sukhoi. The remaining 140, as China has 200 J-20s, India shall plan joint production of Rafale F5s.

 

[OlegO]

US will never deliver F-35 even if we get into an expensive deal with them for this platform that is thoroughly incompatible with India's command and control system. The US will also be wary that India has a strong partnership with Russia and wouldn't want to give its platform to us. India should stick to SU-57 or only improvise with rocket force and stealth UAV instead of any manned platform.

Israel will not allow... Provide their critical technologies to BRICS - this is nonsense! Let's come down to earth, ladies and gentlemen.

 

[Mc Addy]

Make stealth drones now and in plenty, should be Naval type also , put effort there . US besides Christian nations , don't help anyone in need , like Turkey , which don't get parts or upgrades to its F 16s of Pakistan, whic t can use it limited . F35 is good if purchased off shelf now , immediately, like 3 squadrons for Navy and same Su 57 for Airforce ,with no strings attached ,then evaluate both and put indigenous components in each as per our need . Need to buy both so both nations can't dictate terms and we have two varieties stealth aircraft and no blackmail possible,in case of war as it's China that can arm twist Russia,in case of conflict, Pakistan is a mere irritant now but same it can do to US. So off shelf now immediately purchase is a must , rest will follow ,but if we place order ,then we can forget both aircrafts for next 10 years .

 

[emgee]

Make stealth drones now and in plenty, should be Naval type also , put effort there . US besides Christian nations , don't help anyone in need , like Turkey , which don't get parts or upgrades to its F 16s of Pakistan, whic t can use it limited . F35 is good if purchased off shelf now , immediately, like 3 squadrons for Navy and same Su 57 for Airforce ,with no strings attached ,then evaluate both and put indigenous components in each as per our need . Need to buy both so both nations can't dictate terms and we have two varieties stealth aircraft and no blackmail possible,in case of war as it's China that can arm twist Russia,in case of conflict, Pakistan is a mere irritant now but same it can do to US. So off shelf now immediately purchase is a must , rest will follow ,but if we place order ,then we can forget both aircrafts for next 10 years .

Germany has signed up for 35 F-35A models.
€10bn including weapons and spares (for five years).
The F-35 is an expensive aircraft to operate.
Stealthy cooperative wingmen for the Rafale would be more cost effective.

 

[Doc]

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.

I've said this BEFORE elsewhere and will say it again:


The F-35 is a white elephant.

Amongst Indian retired aviators, the joke doing the rounds is that this aircraft has more 'down time' than airborne time ! Everyone knows of its dismal maintenance problems; case in point is its recent 'showing" at Trivandrum. This is a warning for all nations to stay away from its acquisition.
Top that with an incredibly high cost and any country that buys this aircraft needs to have 'its head examined'! Shooting oneself in the foot is 'not the word'!

On the other hand, the Russians have offered us the Su-57E. Let's grab it while the offer is STILL on the table. SIX squadrons of the machine will give us some teeth and up the ante for the Pakis.
Their JF-17 will be no match to the Su-57, nor will their 'intended purchase' of the J-35 (fifth gen fighter).

The Su-75 (Checkmate) if inducted, will give us some MR combat capability while being 'affordable'.
In-country manufacture of BOTH aircraft is an offer that needs closer examination.

 

[Mc Addy]

Germany has signed up for 35 F-35A models.
€10bn including weapons and spares (for five years).
The F-35 is an expensive aircraft to operate.
Stealthy cooperative wingmen for the Rafale would be more cost effective.

Rafael is over and out aircraft that can't be upgraded with anything new like a drone, it's a 4th Gen fighter, that has failed it's price tag and hype ,where it's Electronic countermeasures are a failure, so are its missiles . This Jet was good for 1990s to early 2000s but it's useless now

 

[emgee]

Rafael is over and out aircraft that can't be upgraded with anything new like a drone, it's a 4th Gen fighter, that has failed it's price tag and hype ,where it's Electronic countermeasures are a failure, so are its missiles . This Jet was good for 1990s to early 2000s but it's useless now

Realistically the F-35A is out of the picture for the IAF. (Germany was forced into it because of the B-61 obligation.)

Russia will be concentrating on reinforcing its own AF.
Stealthy cooperative wingmen would multiply the effect of the IAF a lot quicker.