With 120 Tejas Mk2, 110 MRFA and 160 AMCA, IAF Plans to Induct Atleast 350 New Jets by 2035 to Bridge Critical Squadron Gap

With 120 Tejas Mk2, 110 MRFA and 160 AMCA, IAF Plans to Induct Atleast 350 New Jets by 2035 to Bridge Critical Squadron Gap


The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to undertake a monumental fleet upgrade over the next decade, with ambitious plans for the induction of more than 350 advanced combat aircraft by 2035.

According to official sources, this comprehensive modernisation roadmap is designed to bolster the nation's air defence capabilities and address the dwindling number of fighter squadrons.

The acquisitions will include a mix of indigenous and foreign-made jets, featuring the Tejas Mk2, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and new Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).

This strategic overhaul, strongly supported by the Ministry of Defence, aims to replace an aging fleet of nearly 150 aircraft, including the Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage-2000 fleets, which are scheduled for phased retirement.

The initiative is critical for maintaining a credible deterrent against regional security challenges post by China-Pak dual threat.

By focusing heavily on domestic manufacturing through the Atmanirbhar Bharat policy, the plan seeks to create a futuristic and self-reliant fighter fleet with superior operational readiness.

At present, the IAF operates with approximately 31 fighter squadrons, which is significantly below its sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons required to effectively manage a two-front scenario. The impending retirement of legacy platforms in the coming years will further widen this gap.

The modernisation plan is a direct response to this challenge and also considers the growing air power of adversaries, such as China's deployment of over 200 J-20 stealth fighters and Pakistan's anticipated acquisition of fifth-generation aircraft.

Indigenous Platforms to Form the Core​

A cornerstone of the IAF's future will be its indigenous aircraft.

The plan includes the induction of 120 Tejas Mk2 fighters. This 4.5-generation aircraft is a more capable version of the Tejas, featuring a longer range, a powerful engine, and advanced systems like an indigenous Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and a sophisticated electronic warfare suite.

Furthermore, the long-term vision centres on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s own 5.5-generation stealth fighter.

The government has recently approved nearly ₹15,000 crore for the development of AMCA prototypes by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The IAF plans to induct at least 160 AMCA jets post-2035, with the first flight of a prototype targeted for 2028. This aircraft will possess advanced stealth features, supercruise capability, and networked combat systems.

Foreign Acquisitions to Fill Immediate Gaps​

To supplement the indigenous efforts and maintain combat readiness in the interim, the IAF is pursuing two major foreign acquisitions.
  • 110 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA): The IAF is awaiting formal approval, or Acceptance of Necessity (AoN), for a tender to acquire 114 multi-role jets. The French-made Dassault Rafale is widely considered the frontrunner for this deal. Having already inducted 36 Rafales, the IAF is familiar with the aircraft's high performance and logistical needs. Reports suggest the deal for 110 new jets could proceed through a government-to-government agreement to fast-track procurement.
  • 60 5-Gen Fighters: As a potential stop-gap measure until the indigenous AMCA is operational, the IAF has reportedly proposed acquiring 60 fifth-generation fighters from a foreign vendor. The American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a primary contender, valued for its proven combat effectiveness and mature production line. While Russia has offered its Su-57E, concerns over its development and limited induction have made the F-35 a more favoured option, according to defence analysts.
By 2035, this combination of advanced jets will replace the retiring fleets and equip the IAF with state-of-the-art technology.

The induction of the already ordered Tejas Mk1A, followed by the Tejas Mk2 and new MRFA, will significantly enhance operational availability.

The high degree of indigenous content in the Tejas and AMCA projects is also expected to reduce maintenance downtime and strengthen India's domestic defence-industrial base, transforming the IAF into a formidable and future-ready air power.
 
Yes , by 2035 , the way Donald Trump is encouraging Pakistan, as US did agaist USSR , we will be also fighting a war of survival. We must now get surveillance drones on borders in plenty to stop cross border infiltration. We don't see right now Donald Trump out to destroy us via Pakistan, so either we gear up for war and if no stomach for it then , do our utmost to secure the borders on war footing.
 
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We must 145+ Tejas-AF-II and 145+ MWF ( Internal weapon bay variant) as replacement of Mig-27, Jaguar & Mirage-2000 ! Mig-29 will be replaced by 105+ AMCA-MK-I !
 
This is not happening, 120 Tejas Mk-2 (engine deal hasn't finalized), No MRFA (but may be some jets through G2G) and 160 AMCA is only a dream till 2035.
I think 200-220 Tejas (Mk-a, 1A and Mk-2), 50-60 jets will be purchased through G2G (instead of MRFA) and 30-40 AMCA is the practical approach as of now scenario.
 
No new jets don't mean we are finished, drones , stealth ones are the most potent answer to any disadvantages we have right now, we are a nuclear power with ICBM and US is simply undermining us with small little matters . We must keep Pakistan under tremendous military pressure so it bleeds money,men and material on boder. We have to light up the border with fire power as Pakistan is conserving ammo for an all out assault . We must drain its land forces , rest in op Sindoor as see, their air defence grid has collapsed, so leave that out of equation. We must fail Donald Trumph now.
 
IAF will induct 180 Tejas Mk1A, 120 Tejas Mk2, 110 Rafale, 60 5th gen aircrafts totalling to almost 470 new aircrafts with also retiring almost 150 old aircrafts like MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Mirage-2000s and Jaguars resulting in almost 320 new air squadrons~18 squadrons. Also, if we are aiming for AMCA Production by 2035, counting it doesn't make sense. Also, by then IAF will also be ready to induct CATS WARRIOR and GHATAK which will acts as force multipliers and give light payload strike packages. Everything is right except how much actually will result in action. With all these new aircrafts and UCAVs will require a very high budget for IAF. As per current budget, managing all of this is very hard. But if GOI manages to gradually increase the defence budget with the same rate as previously, then it is manageable. Also like the engine supply lines.
 
By 2035 AMCA would not have even gone for serial production. 100 plus 5th gen by 2035 is a distant dream. The only possibility is that of the Tejas Mk 2 variant at best provided they get the engines ready in time. MRFA will never materialise. I was in school in 2007 when this 1st came into considertaion. Now my children go to school and still they are playing RFP RFP.
I've always voted for BJP but I think they got it wrong on the Air Force front. The other 2 divisions of the forces are doing fine. Its higj time India should get 60-72 5th gen from USA or Russia delivered by the next 5 years and invest in missile tech and air defence systems.
 
IAF stopped the Kaveri Program in 2006 under Air Marshal Matheshwaran committee…. I was a well orchestrated strategy to defeat self-reliance…. As long as engineering is planned by fighter pilots this saga will continue…. Government should wake up…. Remember, the nation has provided technologies for space, missiles, defence, neuclear…. Vikram Sarabhai, Homi Bhabha, Abdul Kalam etc great visionaries where not IAS or simple pilots…. But, they were empowered and they delivered.
 
All these aspects are time consuming with no fixed time frame as is evident from Tejas MK1 progress. The GOI , IAF know what is best for India and would do well to consider acquiring R37M AAM to take care of Pakistani AWACS and also 177S engine to strengthen the SU 30 MKI. Acquiring limited quantities of KH69 Missiles as a cheaper substitute and to complement the costly Brahmos 1 and Skysting from Israel also is worth considering till Astra MK2 & MK3 are ready.Perhaps the most important/urgent thing is to expedite Brahmos 2 hypersonic missiles
 
MRFA is not going to happen. After two decades without much interest from the GoI untill 2025 I am with the believe it's was never a GoI's priority. If the bureaucrats indeed understand the declining in fighter squadrons in IAF and the importance to bolster IAF's defence capabilities they would have initiated a concerted effort to procure 114 MRFA fighters at least a decade ago to supplement the stopgap till Tejas Mk1A, Mk2 and AMCA progressively inducted in IAF's inventory. The people in MoD are still with outdated mentality who don't seems to think wisely and rationally.
 

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