The Russian SU-57 and the U.S. F-35 Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) were a major focus at Aero India 2025.
Potential F-35 Offer: During a press meet, the then-U.S. president mentioned the possibility of providing India with F-35 stealth fighters.
F-35 Details:
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is a single-seat, single-engine strike fighter with three variants:
F-35A (conventional takeoff/landing)
F-35B (short takeoff/vertical landing), and
F-35C (aircraft carrier variant).
It involves several international partners and foreign military sales customers.
Over 1,100 F-35s had been delivered as of January 30, 2025.
India's Stance on F-35: India has stated it will consider the F-35 offer once it becomes formal, emphasizing the need to follow established procurement procedures, including defining requirements.
The high cost per aircraft (over $100 million) and the infrastructure needed for operation and maintenance are also factors to consider.
Russian SU-57 Status: India and Russia previously had an agreement to jointly develop the FGFA (SU-57).
However, due to disagreements over cost and technology transfer, India withdrew from the project and opted for its indigenous FGFA, the AMCA.
IAF Squadron Strength and Modernization: The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently has a significantly lower number of fighter squadrons (31) than its sanctioned strength (42.5), with a considerable portion being older aircraft.
Major powers like China, Russia, and the U.S. have already deployed fifth-generation fighters.
IAF Roadmap: A high-level committee has been formed to create a roadmap for the IAF and address operational gaps.
Future Fighter Acquisitions: India plans to acquire over 500 fighter jets, mainly the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variants and the AMCA.
LCA and AMCA Progress: Deliveries of the LCA-Mk1A are delayed, but HAL aims to deliver 12 jets this year. The LCA-Mk2 is expected to have its first flight in early 2026.
The AMCA prototype is anticipated by end-2026/early-2027, certification by 2032, and induction by 2034.
MRFA Proposal: The proposal for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) has seen little progress and might be too expensive and late to address the IAF's needs.
Calls for Stopgap Measures: Some experts suggest acquiring a couple of F-35 squadrons as a temporary solution, but this process would also be lengthy.
The Rafale deal serves as an example of the time required for such acquisitions.
Importance of Indigenous Programs: It is critical to expedite domestic programs because introducing more foreign aircraft into the IAF's already diverse fleet poses logistical challenges and could detract from indigenous development.
Diversification and Dependency: While India has started diversifying its military hardware procurement, it shouldn't simply shift from one dependency (Russia) to another.
The reliance on U.S. and French engines for future indigenous aircraft like the LCA and AMCA raises concerns about continued foreign dependency for crucial systems.
Potential Challenges with F-35 Acquisition: Acquiring advanced fighters like the F-35 could come with conditions that may limit operational flexibility and impact indigenous manufacturing plans.
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