India Should Avoid Hasty Acquisition of Costly and Premature Foreign Fighter Jets in Response to Pakistan's J-35, Warns Experts

Defence experts are cautioning India against rushing into a potentially costly acquisition of foreign fighter jets in response to Pakistan's anticipated acquisition of the J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter.

They warn that such a reaction could lead to "panic buying," echoing past instances where India hastily procured aircraft to counter Pakistan's advancements, potentially diverting resources from long-term indigenous development programs.

Experts point to historical precedents, such as when Pakistan acquired F-16s, prompting India to quickly procure Mirage-2000s and MiG-29s to maintain air superiority. With Pakistan now poised to introduce the J-35A into its arsenal by as early as 2027, concerns are rising that a similar scenario might unfold.

The J-35A, developed by China, represents a significant upgrade for Pakistan, offering stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and enhanced combat capabilities. Its introduction could potentially shift the balance of air power in South Asia. This acquisition is expected to occur well before India's own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) takes its first flight, scheduled around 2034.

Experts also highlight Russia's strategic maneuvering in this situation, actively promoting the sale of its Su-57 fighter jet to India. They suggest that Russia is capitalizing on the potential pressure India might feel to acquire a fifth-generation fighter quickly.

While the urgency to counter Pakistan's new acquisition could lead India to consider various options, including upgrading its existing fleet or procuring foreign fifth-generation fighters, experts warn against hasty decisions.

Such choices come with complexities, including geopolitical considerations, high acquisition and maintenance costs, and potential implications for India's strategic autonomy and its pursuit of indigenous platforms like the AMCA.

Instead of rushing into a potentially costly and premature acquisition, experts urge India to carefully assess its options and prioritize long-term strategic goals.

They emphasize the importance of continued investment in indigenous development programs like the AMCA, which will ultimately provide India with greater technological independence and self-reliance in defence.

 

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[R. Singh]

Instead of no 5th gen fighter till 2035 better we buy F-35 or Su-57 which ever is easily available to fight if need arise !

 

[INDIAN]

This is what we are, a typical spineless, no-strategic-thinking nation and government. We have reached a stage that even Pakistan is spooking us. We have become a freebies state with politicians who have no inclination for the nation's defence needs. For us, spending on defence is a wasteful expenditure. That's why for thousands of years, we were ruled by foreign rulers. Once Pakistan acquires something, we start running like jokers here and there to match them.

 

[sanket]

Lack of planning and vision in inducting fighter jets. Haven't seen a serious threat of depleting squadrons and various ways of adding to it. First, it was BVR missiles that were out of range. Then, to counterbalance, 36 Rafales were purchased. Now again, Su-57. If they had acquired 114 Rafales in time, then full focus would have been on AMCA rather than buying stopgap arrangements of fifth-gen jets. Second, a few squadrons of Su-57 would have started the acquisition process by now.

 

[Neal.B]

If MRFA program was done timely, we were not so panicked.

 

[tasks discussion]

Lack of vision by IAF. Learn something from Indian Navy. if they would have approved AMCA atleast 10 years back from now. We might be seeing first flight around these years.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Lack of vision by IAF. Learn something from Indian Navy. if they would have approved AMCA atleast 10 years back from now. We might be seeing first flight around these years.

IAF is yet to recieve mk1A, mk2 and you are asking IAF to approve AMCA 10 years ago. As if Bharat had the tech to produce AMCA 10 years ago.

 

[Hugo Sanchez]

This is what we are, a typical spineless, no-strategic-thinking nation and government. We have reached a stage that even Pakistan is spooking us. We have become a freebies state with politicians who have no inclination for the nation's defence needs. For us, spending on defence is a wasteful expenditure. That's why for thousands of years, we were ruled by foreign rulers. Once Pakistan acquires something, we start running like jokers here and there to match them.

Everything is right. But what are the options for the military at this moment if you dont maintain air superiority over pakis. Aftermath of balakot or worse can happen.
For any country just doing RR over failures cant be an option.

 

[Kira]

This is actually true, India instead should look beyond the Su-57.

 

[Mango_Indian]

MMRCA drama - going for 10 years and resulted in buying 36 jets WITHOUT EVEN EXERCISING THE OPTIONS CLAUSE to buy the next 36 jets, which could have been purchased at USD 4-5 Billion for the next 36 jets. Post that, another 8 odd years of inactivity. IAF Happily buying transport aircrafts (C-295, C-17, C-130) imported from abroad and assembled in Gujarat.

No strategic intervention or thought process in fighter jet acquisition. Fighter squadrons down to 30 against a needed 45. Still depending on HAL which produces 4 jets in a good year.

If we cannot produce it in India, why not buy 5-6 squadrons of competent fighter jets off the shelf. Look at our last buys - Mirage 2000, SU-30 MKI etc - are they not doing stellar service ? BUY FIGTER JETS - bare minimum 5-6 squadrons immediately.

 

[Hey]

If MRFA program was done timely, we were not so panicked.

MRFA was a good plan but giving 30 billion $ away in a time span of 8-10 years for a single project of 1 armed force is too much for an economy of just $ 3-4 trillion $ with a defence budget of under 100 billion $/ year

 

[Sridhar]

This is what we are, a typical spineless, no-strategic-thinking nation and government. We have reached a stage that even Pakistan is spooking us. We have become a freebies state with politicians who have no inclination for the nation's defence needs. For us, spending on defence is a wasteful expenditure. That's why for thousands of years, we were ruled by foreign rulers. Once Pakistan acquires something, we start running like jokers here and there to match them.

I disagree with you partially. In the 60s and 70s Indian military especially the Airforce was either behind or equal to PAF. From 90s onwards IAF went ahead of PAF both in quality and quantity.
Yes our current DPP is proving to be a big hurdle in acquiring critical capital equipment as per desired timeline.

 

[Bob]

This is what we are, a typical spineless, no-strategic-thinking nation and government. We have reached a stage that even Pakistan is spooking us. We have become a freebies state with politicians who have no inclination for the nation's defence needs. For us, spending on defence is a wasteful expenditure. That's why for thousands of years, we were ruled by foreign rulers. Once Pakistan acquires something, we start running like jokers here and there to match them.

An armed force which has a country is called Pakistan. Its Human Development Index is 164/193, but it is buying a 5th-generation fighter jet. You can't compare such a country with India. 30 years wasted in developing an engine. America now playing games is the reason we are in this situation.

 

[Surendra Barsode]

As a member of QUAD, India should ask USA to lease with some token cost, one squadron of its Raptor 22 aircrafts to us. This may be utilized in Indo Pacific region against China by the US or against Pakistan by IAF. This deal will be like the deal we have with Russia about nuclear attack submarine. Anyway, AMCA will be ready in due course and thereafter, we should be fine.

 

[Akash]

What nonsense? Our earlier acquisition of MRCA is still yet to take off thanks to the inertia of the present government. After acquiring 36 Rafael we are going blowing our trumpet about induction of Tejas which is no match for the aircrafts being inducted by China and Pakistan. We have borne the brunt of PAF counter attacking in full force after the Balakot attack thanks to our BVR capabilities being lesser than Pakistan. If we still continue in slumber mode no one can save us. Induction of MRCA and a stealth fighter should be top priority. The process of acquisition and induction takes years and if we still think that we can wait then good luck to us.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

So-called defence analysts should appreciate that Bharat is already facing threats from the Chinese J-20 and is not scared. China, not Pakistan, is our prime adversary. In addition to speeding up AMCA development and acquisition, Bharat needs to urgently acquire 3-4 additional squadrons of Rafales and about 120-150 Russian Su-57/Su-75s with suitable ToT. In the meantime, upgraded Su-30s, Rafales, and Tejas variants will counter PLA threats.

 

[हरिः व्योम]

Su57 is inferior to Chinese stealth design or F35.

stop this nonsense panic

 

[Ashok ayyappa]

So as per the expert..we have Keep quiet and wait for Pakistan to get 5th Gen Flights..and attack us..we should be waiting like sitting ducks...

 

[bobby]

India needs youngsters at the helm of the armed forces. What are the chances Pakistan will use F-35A against India? Zero. Where is this panic coming from? If we had to panic, we better do it with the Chinese deploying J-20 and J-35A in large numbers at the Tibetan border. I think this kind of news is spread just to buy an excuse for this deal, which can have financial irregularities. Ideally, India should develop AMCA and focus on creating its own engine.

 

[Jan Rodricks]

An armed force which has a country is called Pakistan. Its Human Development Index is 164/193, but it is buying a 5th-generation fighter jet. You can't compare such a country with India. 30 years wasted in developing an engine. America now playing games is the reason we are in this situation.

Playing games?

Did you know GE powers the Indian Navy's INS Vikrant class aircraft carrier?.

GE powers India's most advanced surface combatants, the Nilgiri class stealth frigates.

GE powers 60-70% of India's airline fleet.

But GE is "playing games" with Tejas 1A only? The F404 delay will have no negative impact on Tejas fighter fleet strength. Any backlog will be resolved next year. So, what is the motive here?

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Nobody is panic buying anything, it's not a packet of chips. Dumb schmuck is just trying to peddle his own skewed narrative while secretly hoping that we do.

 

[Glory X]

Buy whatever you want, just be sure to avoid American weapons. Their weapons are built by mainstream. Ukraine is proof. Their weapons are literally collapsing there.

 

[Garuda]

Acquiring the Su-57 will still make sense after AMCA joins service. AMCA's primary objective would be stealth and not maneuverability. The need for a maneuverable 5th-gen fighter will always be there. And if its running cost per hour is less than 20 lakh, then going for local production of more than 5 squadrons would be lovely.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Absolutely, I second that. Couldn't agree more.

A country such as Pakistan, pressurizing India and/or India being preoccupied with such a country as Pakistan is utterly, I mean UTTERLY, humiliating ourselves.

India's aim should be to catch up with China. True that India can never ever get past China, it should at least try to reduce the technological lag that India has with China. Moreover, since Pakistan is China's colony, trying to catch up with China will automatically deal with Pakistan.

That's why India should've had some spine and stood firmly on its own legs instead of shamelessly and self-humiliatingly piggybacking on the West.

Think about it, which country on one hand, chest thumps about having IITs and IISc and on the other hand rides happily sitting on the shoulders of other countries for even basic defence needs without doing it themselves?

It's akin to the US, which has MIT, Princeton, CalTech etc., going on to buy every nut and bolt from other countries.

If this is disgusting and humiliating, then what else is?

 

[P.K Senapati]

Few squadron of Su57 with advanced latest features like 2D stealth nozzle and helmet mounted display system are urgent need for india as Pak gets J35 from China.
Indigenious AMCA takes time and can continue.

 

[ERWIN]

Us supply for ge engines for amca is a big question mark.. there is no option but to go for su 57.. rafale is like the Chinook better kept under lock and key for fear of losing one...

 

[T.Rajesh]

The immediate military threat has to be addressed immediately or in the long term India may not exist in the current form if attacked in tandem by China and Pakistan.

 

[jith hegde]

Bangladesh has thoughts of buying Eurofighters, Apaches, etc. The US lay supply & train them with a few F35s too, if they are given some Island or possibly a mainland base. This is possible in the present circumstance. India would have to prepare for a 3.5 front situation. Pak & China being what they are, India has to stand up well.
Hence, better have atleast a squadron of 5 the Gen planes & complete the MMRCA deal with ideal armaments & Rocket power. Do not wait for things to happen on us.
AMCA, Tejas2, etc can come, as they come.

 

[Samrat]

Instead of no 5th gen fighter till 2035 better we buy F-35 or Su-57 which ever is easily available to fight if need arise !

Yeah something is better than nothing

 

[aryavarta🇮🇳]

This is what we are, a typical spineless, no-strategic-thinking nation and government. We have reached a stage that even Pakistan is spooking us. We have become a freebies state with politicians who have no inclination for the nation's defence needs. For us, spending on defence is a wasteful expenditure. That's why for thousands of years, we were ruled by foreign rulers. Once Pakistan acquires something, we start running like jokers here and there to match them.

Can't agree more. And the government plans of a viksit bharat by 2047. Entire defence planning needs realignment. But government is busy giving election rabri and citizenship to Rohingyas