A leading defence analyst has cast serious doubt on the potential acquisition of either the American F-35 or the Russian Su-57 fighter jets by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, a senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), argues that procuring either aircraft would be a detrimental move for India's air power. Instead, he strongly advocates for prioritizing the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
Mitra highlights significant issues with both the F-35 and Su-57 in the context of India's defence needs.
He points to India's previous withdrawal from the Su-57 program, citing concerns about the aircraft's design and capabilities. He notes that even India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a fourth-generation fighter, boasts superior build quality compared to the Su-57.
A critical flaw of the Su-57, according to Mitra, is its compromised stealth capabilities due to exposed engines, making it vulnerable to enemy radar. This contradicts the fundamental stealth requirements of a fifth-generation fighter, which typically employ internal engine placement and radar-absorbent materials to minimize their radar signature.
Regarding the F-35, Mitra emphasizes the challenges of integrating this aircraft into the IAF's diverse fleet, which includes a mix of Russian, French, and indigenous aircraft.
The F-35 is designed to operate within a NATO framework, relying heavily on interoperability with American air assets and data networks. This presents a significant hurdle for the IAF, as its existing systems are largely incompatible with NATO standards. This incompatibility would severely limit the F-35's effectiveness, as its strengths lie in a highly integrated, data-centric combat environment that the IAF currently lacks.
Mitra's central argument is that India should focus on its domestically developed AMCA program. By investing in indigenous development, India can reduce its reliance on foreign suppliers and achieve greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing. This approach also allows India to tailor the AMCA to its specific operational requirements, unlike foreign platforms that often come with geopolitical constraints and integration challenges.
To ensure the success of the AMCA program, Mitra calls for increased accountability within India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and suggests bringing the program under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO). This would provide high-level political and administrative support, streamlining decision-making and resource allocation to accelerate the AMCA's development.
Mitra's perspective highlights a crucial debate within India's defence community: balancing immediate operational needs with the long-term goal of strategic autonomy. While foreign fighters like the F-35 and Su-57 offer proven capabilities, they come with significant costs, both financially and in terms of dependence on foreign nations. The AMCA, on the other hand, represents a customized solution, albeit one that demands substantial investment in time, technology, and resources.
