By Emeka Blast 
Indian Air Force Set to Procure 40–60 Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to procure 40 to 60 advanced fifth-generation fighter jets from foreign sources as a stopgap measure to strengthen its combat capabilities, amid escalating regional tensions and a critical shortfall in squadron strength. The announcement, reported by multiple sources on X, including @IndiaWarZone and @Defencecore, follows a detailed presentation by the IAF to the Ministry of Defence, highlighting the urgent need to counter growing air power from adversaries like China and Pakistan. The move comes as India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aimed at developing a homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter, is not expected to enter service until 2035.
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh confirmed the government’s consideration of acquiring fifth-generation jets from key allies, with the United States offering the Lockheed Martin F-35 and Russia proposing the Sukhoi Su-57. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, emphasized the strategic necessity, stating, “We are short on numbers, and if Pakistan’s acquisition of J-35s shifts the balance, we may need an off-the-shelf solution.” The IAF’s current strength stands at 31 squadrons, far below the sanctioned 42, with aging MiG-21s being phased out and delays in the delivery of Tejas Mk1A jets due to General Electric’s F-404 engine supply issues.
The proposed acquisition, potentially costing $80–110 million per F-35 or less for the Su-57, aims to bridge the capability gap until the AMCA is operational. The AMCA, approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2025 for Rs 15,000 crore ($2 billion), is a twin-engine stealth fighter designed for air superiority, ground strikes, and electronic warfare, with a first prototype expected by 2028. However, experts like Angad Singh warn of a 15-year technology gap with China, which has deployed over 300 Chengdu J-20 stealth fighters and is reportedly supplying 40 J-35s to Pakistan by 2026. Posts on X, such as @SouleFacts, noted, “IAF is exploring 2-3 squadrons of fifth-gen jets to maintain an edge,” reflecting public interest in the plan.
The F-35, showcased at Aero India 2025, offers advanced stealth and sensor fusion but faces challenges integrating with India’s Russian-origin systems, like the S-400 air defense system, and comes with high costs and limited technology transfer. The Su-57, also displayed at Aero India, is a more affordable option with potential for local production, but India’s 2018 withdrawal from the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program raised concerns about its stealth capabilities and reliability. A high-level committee, led by Singh and including DRDO and HAL officials, recommended in March 2025 that private sector firms join the AMCA project to accelerate production, signaling a shift toward a public-private partnership model.
