In the wake of the recent conflict between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attacks, discussions on India's fifth-generation fighter jet programme, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and the possible stopgap alternatives have gained further momentum.
While Pakistan is reportedly considering the purchase of J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters from China and exploring the possibility of setting up a joint production line of combat aircraft KAAN with Turkish Aerospace Industries, India's homegrown fifth-gen fighter is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force only by 2035.
If the J-35 deal is finalised, China will start delivering the stealth fighters in the next two years, shifting the regional balance as the jets will significantly enhance Pakistan's airpower.
Writing for the American think tank The Heritage Foundation, policy expert Kriti Upadhyaya argues that fifth-generation aircraft is both "a strategic imperative and an operational necessity" for India as China’s fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon is now operational and Pakistan continues to co-develop the JF-17 jets with China.
She points out that India's frontline aircraft Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, and MiG-29s are fourth or 4.5 generation. It is also important to note that the Indian Air Force has a combat fleet strength of 31 squadrons against a minimal requirement of 42.
India's fifth-gen ambitions had suffered a setback when a joint Indo-Russian initiative Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project was stalled due to various reasons. However, India came up with the domestic alternative—AMCA or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.
The twin-engine multi-role fighter AMCA is expected to incorporate radar-absorbing materials, specialised coatings, and exhaust technologies to increase stealth. Designed for sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, AMCA is likely to be equipped with sensor fusion, AI-assisted electronic piloting, Net-centric warfare systems, and integrated vehicle health management.
As Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved industry partnership, which equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis for the AMCA execution model, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is expected to issue an expression of interest soon. If timelines are met, the first prototype is expected to be rolled out between 2026 and 2027 and is expected to be inducted into the Indian Air Force by 2035.
However, given the geopolitical scenario and Pakistan's increasing air power capabilities, a 10-year wait for the fifth-generation fighter seems to be a long one. According to Upadhyaya, in the meantime, India has two options to bridge the gap—US F-35 and the Russian Su-57.
Although the Su-57 is cheaper and Russia also promises the transfer of technology, the analyst notes that it lacks proven operational history and the maintenance ecosystem is uncertain.
Meanwhile, the F-35 is the most widely deployed fifth-gen fighter in the world, despite the "kill switch" myth. The analyst points out that in order for the F-35 deal to happen, "India would need to undertake credible reforms to safeguard sensitive US defence technologies while also maintaining interoperability" as the US has been hesitant to offer the platform to countries that operate equipment of Russian origin.
For the US, equipping India with its fifth-generation fighter, helps it to advance its strategic objective of having a credible deterrent to Chinese military adventurism in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the analyst, in order to bridge India's fifth-generation power gap, India could acquire a limited number of F-35s even as it accelerates the AMCA development. India should also build collaboration with like-minded countries like the US in areas like stealth coatings, electronic warfare systems, and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). Besides, it should also start investing in sixth-generation technologies.
However, not everyone seems to agree. A few days ago, former Indian Air Force chief R.K.S. Bhadauria said as the government put its faith in AMCA, we as a country needs to do everything to expedite the AMCA. "That cause of concern in terms of what Pakistan is going to get from China in the interim - be it J20 or J-35 - let them get these. That will be studied. What is important is in the interim how do you handle these threats and there are ways and means of tackling this threat that they will have," he was quoted as saying.