India Not in Formal Talks for F-35 or Su-57 Acquisition, Fully Committed to Indigenous AMCA, Confirms Defence Secretary

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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[Mayank393]

Then we are doomed. You cannot become Atmanirbhar in just 2–3 years — there should be a stop-gap arrangement. Imagine if we didn’t have the S-400 during Operation Sindoor. Its long range gave us a crucial advantage. This is an example of overly optimistic thinking by the top leadership.

 

[Imaxxx]

He should be put in the trenches on the frontline for a year

 

[AMCA446]

Bharat🇮🇳 should consider 🧿SU-57 with whatever source codes they are offering. B cos no one will never ever give its >20yrs of everything to another nation, example is SU-30 MKi.
And Why SU-57? The answer is very clear that one AMCA will not be everything in 2040s we have to replace our
SU30s 【the backbone】alonsides Jaguars and Migs absence and then imagine our fleet in 2040s with just
🚀1.) 4.5gen Tejas(2 variants),
🚀2.) 4.5gen Rafales (which will itself less superior than Tejas)
and
🚀3.) 5th gen__only one AMCA (however with its CATS)
3 types only....
It will not enough by any mean.
SU-57 will play same role in future's as SU-30s are playing today "The Backbones" with our own developed
Super Sukhoi updates like superior stealth and superior weapon capabilities with FLY-BY-LIGHT suit and with 🎯Virupaksha Radar 2.0🎯 then.
AMCA definitely needs a brother in 2040s with him doing air superiority, Super stealth and Super Precision Missions,
a "Big Body Bro" is must in home.
जय हिन्द की सेना🇮🇳🚀🚀🚀

 

[AMCA446]

If we can do Super Sukhoi moments with Su-30s why not with Su-57s?
🇮🇳🚀🚀🚀

 

[sanket]

Oh, the question is which fighter will be ordered for two to three squadrons: Su-57 or Rafale? It may be that Rafale will be ordered as a follow-on of 40 to 60 units if Dassault is willing to start a local assembly line with a local private player, with a complete ecosystem including the engine. The one who meets the criteria of Make In India will be preferred.

The F-35 has no chance of local manufacturing under Make In India as the US will not allow an assembly line outside its own country.

A lot will depend on Dassault's offer: whether it will supply flyaway units or import semi-knocked-down kits and assemble them. If the latter, it will not meet the criteria, and then the Su-57 has a chance. But first, Rafale is in front as both its variants have been ordered already.

 

[Dolund Trmup]

Don't buy Su-57E

 

[Rinku Pandey]

We don't need expensive 5th-gen aircraft while we are already developing our own 5.5th-gen AMCA. Until then, we will have Mk1A, Mk2, and Super Sukhoi by 2032. Developing countries can't afford 5th-gen imported fighters like SU-57 or F-35s. Keep our heads down until we have AMCAs.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

What if we face a war in 2026 which is very much possible, as per news PAF will be getting the F31 from China which is a stealth by this year end though not of the same class of J35. How equipped is IAF to counter the stealth platform. Agreed that the PAF will be countered as they may not be that capable but you cannot enter war with assumptions when there is clear threat to life. We are in dialogues with China to reform our relations, the progress is definitely on positive side but what if China think of invading us. They have two stealth platforms and a relatively large fleet they have J20 which are in excess of 300. Our ex armed personnel's are definitely not foolish who are in sustained and unanimously equivocally pitching the need of 5th gen fighter for IAF. Gen GD Bakshi the veteran and far more knowledgeable than the IAS Mr. Singh has been coining the two front war situation. That will be a disaster for India, having a depleted IAF fleet and not considering the jackpot offer from Russia for the 5th gen will be suicidal. We have already been seen how on track we are with Tejas project where Tejas itself will get complete in 2028 that too on US wish which is still dream for me. AMCA is just the dream which we are seeing in bright daylight where the engine in itself is at toss. We do not know who is going to help us for AMCA engine. Depending on the current situation and global turmoil not looking for SU57 is just showcasing the ego, carelessness, arrogance, stupidity and too much overconfidence on our dreams by MoD, GOI and IAF. Well as Indian we can only speculate, write our concerns from the bottom of our heart but everything depends on the bureaucracy that drives the nation. This is my last draft on this topic as deeply devastated on hearing of this news few days back of not considering the 5th gen platform which had a lucrative offer gone waste. Time itself will prove how costly the decision may turn. As always good wishes to our armed forces who have been serving motherland with constraints in hands.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

We don't need expensive 5th-gen aircraft while we are already developing our own 5.5th-gen AMCA. Until then, we will have Mk1A, Mk2, and Super Sukhoi by 2032. Developing countries can't afford 5th-gen imported fighters like SU-57 or F-35s. Keep our heads down until we have AMCAs.

We are not totally Atmanirbhar as the main point is we do not have our indigenous jet engine to replace GE. Tejas Mk1 and Mk2 are totally in the hands of US depending on their wish of engine supply. As per federal law of US export of critical assets depends on US govt approvals in this case jet engine export depends on US or to be more clear Mr. Trump and not GE. The trade treaty with US is in jeopardy and they are getting too close of comfort to our very friendly neighbor. So these are dreams which will turn to reality with time and cumbersome efforts. IAF definitely needs stop gap enhancement to stay ahead with time. We can definitely say this may be in 2030 where we will have our own jet engine platform, Kaveri 2.0 as well as jet engine developed in collaboration with some foreign player. The heart of any fighter is its engine once we have our own we can easily ramp up the production. Not now at this moment wisdom tells to look for stop gap option where SU57 is the best fitting reply.

 

[AMCA446]

Oh, the question is which fighter will be ordered for two to three squadrons: Su-57 or Rafale? It may be that Rafale will be ordered as a follow-on of 40 to 60 units if Dassault is willing to start a local assembly line with a local private player, with a complete ecosystem including the engine. The one who meets the criteria of Make In India will be preferred.

The F-35 has no chance of local manufacturing under Make In India as the US will not allow an assembly line outside its own country.

A lot will depend on Dassault's offer: whether it will supply flyaway units or import semi-knocked-down kits and assemble them. If the latter, it will not meet the criteria, and then the Su-57 has a chance. But first, Rafale is in front as both its variants have been ordered already.

This is called unnecessarily pushing F35 all the time at all places of discussions. What is meaning of AMCA then if we are now start affording the most costlier F35s. Do you know the design similarities and running cost difference between F35 and AMCA? One is 5th gen other one is 5.9gen and one is most costlier with hidden restrictions but other one is our own pride.
जय हिंद🇮🇳🚀🚀🚀

 

[DS]

Our AMCA is the only way ahead. Speed it up MoD India.