IAF Pushes for Three Squadrons of 5th-Gen Fighters as MoD Weighs US F-35 and Russian Su-57 Offers
India’s urgent bid for 60 stealth jets seeks to bridge the gap until AMCA arrives, countering rising Sino-Pak capabilities
Why the IAF Wants 60 Fifth-Generation Fighters—Now
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is urging the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to approve the procurement of three squadrons—60 aircraft—of fifth-generation fighter jets, according to senior officials and reports from Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org).
- This push comes amid mounting regional threats and the realization that India needs stealth, supercruise, and advanced networked warfare capability to match adversaries in the Indo-Pacific.
US F-35 vs Russian Su-57: Two Global Options on the Table
- Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II (US) and Sukhoi Su-57 Felon (Russia) are both under evaluation.
- The F-35 offers proven stealth, global logistics, and deep integration with Western platforms.
- The Su-57 offers a twin-engine, high-maneuverability design with some stealth features, positioned as an alternative with potential for technology transfer.
- The MoD has so far kept the IAF out of detailed negotiations, but a decision is likely by 2026.
The Strategic Imperative: Bridging the Capability Gap
Key drivers for the IAF’s 5th-gen push:
- China’s J-20 stealth fleet (200+ jets, PL-15 missiles) is operational along the Line of Actual Control, posing a direct threat.
- Pakistan’s expanding J-10CE/JF-17 Block III fleet, now equipped with PL-15E long-range missiles and exploring advanced radar upgrades.
- The IAF’s frontline jets—Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas Mk1A—provide credible deterrence but lack full stealth and next-gen sensor fusion.
- Defence analysts also point to the threat from high-altitude swarm drones and hypersonic platforms, making stealth, situational awareness, and survivability crucial.
India’s Own 5th-Gen Project: AMCA in the Pipeline
- AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), a 5.5-generation stealth fighter, is in early design and development, with entry into service targeted for 2035 at the earliest.
- The IAF’s recommendation for interim 5th-gen imports is seen as a pragmatic way to avoid a capability gap over the next decade while continuing to back indigenous development.
The Numbers: What the IAF Wants
- Three squadrons = 60 jets (20 jets per squadron).
- Stealth, supercruise, advanced EW, and networked warfare are minimum requirements.
- These new jets would serve as a technological bridge until AMCA and future Indian fighters are ready for deployment.
What’s Next?
- MoD is expected to invite detailed proposals, with negotiations likely to focus on technology transfer, cost, local production, and logistics.
- Whichever platform is chosen will influence the IAF’s operational doctrine, industrial strategy, and geopolitical alignment for decades.
