Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the growing need for air superiority, India faces a critical decision: which fifth-generation fighter aircraft will power its skies in the coming decades? With its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) still a decade away from combat readiness, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to make a calculated choice between waiting for homegrown excellence, importing America’s stealthy F-35 Lightning II, or considering the Russian Su-57 Felon. Each comes with its own benefits, burdens, and baggage.
Why fifth generation matters?
India’s neighbours, China and Pakistan, have not just been modernising their ground forces, but aggressively inducting next-gen aircraft, like the J-20 Mighty Dragon. In such a landscape, India’s delay in inducting a fifth-generation fighter platform presents a gap. At present, the IAF’s frontline strength lies in fourth-generation aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI, Rafale, Tejas Mk1, and Mirage-2000. While capable, they fall short when it comes to low observability (stealth), advanced avionics, and sensor fusion that define fifth-generation jets.
A fifth-generation aircraft is more than just another fighter; it is an integrated aerial platform designed for stealth, electronic warfare, network-centric operations, and multirole dominance. As IAF squadrons dwindle, India’s defence planners face a pressing question: should the country wait for the indigenous AMCA to take flight or consider external options to plug the widening gap?
AMCA: The Indigenous aspiration with a long runway
India’s homegrown fifth-generation dream, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is a prestigious project spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The stealth fighter will incorporate a twin-engine delta-wing design, internal weapons bay, supercruise capabilities, and high agility, a significant leap from the current Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
The Defence Minister approved the programme’s execution, and prototype rollout is expected only around 2027-28, with operational induction unlikely before 2036. Despite strong backing from DRDO and promises of private sector involvement, the AMCA remains in its developmental stage. For a force that currently operates just 30-31 squadrons, against a sanctioned strength of 42.5, this delay is costly.
Security expert Dinakar Peri of Carnegie India told media, “While the lack of a fifth generation fighter is going to be a glaring gap in the Indian Air Force, the choice of importing a FGFA in small numbers is a hard one to make. The indigenous AMCA is just taking off in terms of development and is about a decade away. Another interim buy may take resources and time away from the crucial programme.”
This makes AMCA the long-term solution but one that cannot solve the IAF’s short-term crisis.
The F-35 Temptation: Technological marvel or a mismatch?
Since the US informally floated the possibility of selling its F-35 Lightning II to India, discussions have ranged from enthusiastic anticipation to sober realism. A major highlight of the India-US Joint Statement in February 2025 (following PM Modi’s meeting with President Donald Trump) was America’s willingness to review its export policy for fifth-gen fighters and undersea systems. But there’s a catch.
In Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh clarified that, “No formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue,” referring to the F-35. So far, India has neither requested the F-35 nor initiated negotiations for acquisition.
The F-35 is deeply integrated with American military systems, its data fusion, encrypted comms, and digital infrastructure would require a parallel setup in India, creating interoperability issues. Moreover, India’s current inventory is a unique blend of Russian (Su-30MKI, S-400), French (Rafale), Israeli, and indigenous systems. Integrating the F-35 would disrupt this balance.
Dinakar Peri summed it up aptly: “India does not have the US fighter ecosystem and going through the curve will take long time. The F-35 may be the cutting edge of stealth and military aviation. However, that necessarily does not mean it is the best bet for India… Without seamless integration, the F-35 cannot become an effective platform, nor can it be fully exploited to its potential.”
In addition, the F-35 is cost-prohibitive. Each unit costs upward of $80 million (excluding lifecycle costs, maintenance contracts, and infrastructure overhauls). And unlike allies such as Israel or Japan, India is unlikely to receive the aircraft with full operational codes or tech-transfer guarantees, severely limiting its autonomy.
The Su-57 Felon: A familiar but risky friend
Given India’s deep defence ties with Russia, including joint ventures on BrahMos, the S-400 missile system, and the Su-30MKI programme, the Su-57 Felon might appear the more compatible fifth-generation option.
Originally, India was a partner in the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) project based on the Su-57, but it exited the programme in 2018, citing poor stealth characteristics, limited performance data, and a lack of transparency from the Russian side. However, with the aircraft now seeing limited deployment with Russian Aerospace Forces and offers being extended to export partners like the UAE and Vietnam, Russia has reportedly rekindled the pitch to India.
The Su-57 brings certain advantages: Familiar ecosystem and training structures, Potential for technology transfer and Cheaper than the F-35.
But major concerns remain: Sanctions under CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act)
Delayed production and incomplete capabilities, Long-term supply uncertainty due to ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and One senior defence analyst noted, “Given the current geopolitical landscape, including India’s strategic alignment with the Quad and Indo-Pacific focus, buying the Su-57 now could strain ties with the US and complicate India’s balancing act.”
The Numbers Game: Bridging the gap with 4.5 gen fighters
While the world debates fifth-gen fighters, India’s urgent requirement lies elsewhere: numbers. IAF’s fighter strength continues to dip, with only 30-31 operational squadrons against the 42.5 needed to counter simultaneous threats on both borders.
Delays in Tejas Mk1A deliveries, slow MRFA (Multi Role Fighter Aircraft) procurement, and low squadron replacement rates have worsened the crisis. China is rapidly inducting its J-20 and stealth drones; Pakistan, backed by Beijing, is modernising with J-10Cs and more JF-17s.
Peri cautioned, “The real crisis in the IAF today is shortage of fighters, fourth-gen plus, and the numbers are set to go down further. The primary focus should be on ramping up the LCA production and the MRFA that are meant to address this.”
The LCA Mk1A is now expected to be inducted by late 2025, and the Mk2 variant is still in prototype phase. The MRFA deal, envisioned to bring in 114 multirole jets, is yet to pass technical evaluation, despite interest from Rafale, F-15EX, Gripen, and Eurofighter Typhoon manufacturers.
India stands at a critical inflexion point in aerial warfare. The F-35 represents unmatched technology but comes with strategic and logistical strings attached. The Su-57 offers ecosystem familiarity but is plagued with risks, delays, and geopolitical complications. The AMCA is India’s best long-term bet, but time is not on its side.
India’s tryst with the sky is far from over but how it writes its next chapter will determine whether it flies ahead of threats or merely catches up.
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