AFPIs a cutting-edge National fighter jet the best option for modernizing India’s heat power?
During his Washington visit last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met US President Donald Trump, who announced they were “paving the way” for India to acquire F-35s, a jet primarily sold to close allies and partners.
The F-35 is a “fifth-generation” multi-role fighter jet with advanced sensors, AI-driven combat systems and seamless data-sharing capabilities. Built to evade radar, it’s the most sophisticated jet in the skies – but at $80m a pop, also one of the most expensive. (Stealth is a key characteristic of a “fifth-generation” fighter.)
Some think that India has a tough choice between spending money on the expensive but expensive F-35 from the US and strengthening ties with Russia by producing its most advanced cunning fighter plane Sukhoi Su-57 locally.
The US-Russia “dogfight” is essentially a media hype, according to experts, with both planes showing up at Asia’s biggest heat show, Aero India, in Bangalore next month.
AFPAccording to Ashley J. Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Trump’s F-35 give seems more” metaphorical” than useful.
It would be difficult, especially without co-production rights, to incorporate a “fifth generation” aircraft into the India Air Force ( IAF ) plans, which would be focused on the homegrown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft ( AMCA ) and more Rafales. The AMCA is India’s own stealth fighter thanks to its development by India’s Defence Research and Development Organization ( DRDO ).
Any merger will likely be a simple price, according to the F-35, which is unlikely to be made available for co-production to India. This is doubtful to go well with Modi’s focus on manufacturing in India and the major end-user monitoring in the event of an F-35 price, according to Mr. Tellis, who told me.
India’s challenges with the F-35 are its steep cost, heavy maintenance and operational issues – the jet’s availability is around 51% for the US Air Force, according to security expert Stephen Bryen, author of a Substack column, Weapons and Strategy. “The question is whether India is willing to invest billions of rupees in the F-35, knowing it could do better buying the Russian jet.”
AFPHowever, many people dismiss the Su-57 as a legitimate candidate, noting that India left the decade-long program to co-produce the plane with Russia in 2018 due to disagreements over systems move, cost-sharing, and specs.
India’s air power is undoubtedly aging and lacking in fighter jets.
It has 31 warrior and overcome squadrons, most of which are Soviet and Soviet-era, far below the authorized 42. Finding a long-term substitute for the Sukhoi-30, Russia’s dynamic workhorse, is a major concern.
Unsettling information from the ISS Military Balance for India was just pointed out by Christopher Clary, a political scientist at the University of Albany. Between 2014 and 2024, Pakistan added 31 warrior and ground invasion plane, and India’s ship decreased by 151.
India’s planned fighter jet expansion is largely homegrown, with plans to acquire over 500 jets, mostly light combat aircraft.
Orders have been confirmed for the 83 Tejas Mark 1A, a quick-growing, multirole domestic warrior, with plans to order another 97 soon. The heavier, more developed Mark 2 is currently being developed. The homemade cunning plane is still at least a decade ahead.
India also intends to purchase 114 multirole fighter jets as part of the IAF’s$ 20 billion Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft ( MRFA ) program, which requires the construction of foreign fighter jets in India through a transfer of technology agreement, which poses its biggest challenge.
AFPAfter receiving criticism for the acquisition of 36 Rafales in a government-to-government deal, the Indian government is considering a clear and uncontroversial procurement process. Rafale is in the lead because it is already in use with the IAF, leading the pack of five planes in the race.
According to experts, India’s air pressure modernization is plagued by three main obstacles: money, delays, and reliance on foreign jets.
Defence spending has shrunk in real terms. The foreign fighter jets programme risks a drawn-out fate. While India prioritises home-made, DRDO’s delays force stopgap foreign purchases, creating a repeating cycle. Breaking it requires delivering a capable homegrown jet on time. Deliveries are also delayed due to a holdup in supplies of General Electric’s F-404 engines for the jets.
According to Rahul Bhatia, an researcher at Eurasia Group, a political risk consulting firm, the conflict between the agency’s vision and the IAF’s requires is a key concern.
The Air Force initially sceptical of the Tejas Mark 1, which led to improvements like the Mark 1A and Mark 2. The military forces are frustrated by decades-long growth processes, mainly as their needs continue to evolve as more modern systems become available, which adds to difficulties, according to Mr. Bhatia.
Even the Indian Air Force chief AP Singh has made no secret of his frustration over delays.
Air Marshall Singh just vowed to “take a vow to never buy anything from inside or I may wait for whatever is developed in India,” but it might not be possible if it does not develop at that pace [on time].
AFPWe all know that our fighters are very poorly of right now, according to the statement. Additionally, the numbers are progressing a small slowly. Therefore, it will be necessary to travel and search for something to quickly fill these gaps, he said, referring to the delayed Tejas Mark 1A sales, which were scheduled to begin in February but have not yet begun.
A homegrown stealth fighter is India’s top priority, with more than$ 1 billion already invested in its development. According to Mr. Bhatia,” a international cunning jet would only be considered if India’s perception of the urgent threat changes.” China has two supposedly cunning soldiers, the J-20 and J-35, but they are most likely far below US requirements.
Most experts think that neither the American nor the Russian soldiers may be chosen by India. ” Emergency purchases may fill gaps in the short term, as seen in previous problems,” as stated. Co-production is the medium-term emphasis, but building its own is the long-term strategy, according to Mr. Bhatia.
The future of airpower isn’t just about purchasing jet; it’s about building them, preferably with a strong American lover. For India, it’s on building them. However, India must deliver its own fighters on time for that vision to be realized.