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India's top defence official has formally ended speculation regarding the immediate foreign acquisition of fifth-generation fighter jets, stating that the nation is not in formal discussions to procure either the American F-35 or the Russian Su-57 aircraft.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed that India's priority remains firmly on its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
In a clear statement, Mr. Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer who took charge of the ministry in November 2024, clarified the government's position. "We don’t have any formal consultations going on for these [aircraft]," he announced, referring to the advanced stealth fighters.
This declaration indicates that no official procurement process has been initiated with manufacturers like Lockheed Martin of the United States or Russia's Sukhoi, bringing clarity to persistent rumours within the global defence community.
This strategic direction is a cornerstone of the government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which aims to bolster the country's sovereign defence manufacturing capabilities.
Instead of pursuing costly foreign platforms, India is channelling its resources into the ambitious AMCA project. This homegrown fifth-generation aircraft is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in close partnership with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and a consortium of public and private Indian firms.
The AMCA is being designed as a state-of-the-art stealth multirole combat aircraft, tailored specifically to meet India's complex operational requirements.
Key features are expected to include a very low radar cross-section, supercruise ability (supersonic flight without afterburners), advanced data fusion, and an AI-infused cockpit environment.
The project is proceeding in phases, with an initial 'Mk-1' version to be powered by an American GE-F414 engine, followed by a 'Mk-2' variant with a more powerful engine developed jointly with an international partner.
The first prototype is slated for its maiden flight by 2028, with serial production anticipated to commence in the early 2030s.
Interest in fifth-generation fighters has been significantly driven by the Indian Air Force's need to maintain a technological edge in the region.
The proliferation of advanced aerial platforms, most notably China’s operational fleet of J-20 'Mighty Dragon' stealth fighters and the development of its FC-31 'Gyrfalcon' jet, presents a changing security landscape that necessitates a capable response.
While both the F-35 Lightning II and the Su-57E 'Felon' are regarded as pinnacles of modern aviation technology, offering exceptional stealth and network-centric warfare capabilities, the Indian government's current stance signals a strategic pivot.
The decision appears to weigh factors such as the high lifecycle costs of imported jets, the complexities of technology transfer, and the long-term goal of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies over the immediate induction of a foreign system.
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