Even as India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) may take a decade to be inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is facing a severe shortage of fighter squadrons, reports now emerge that the IAF is looking to procure two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from foreign countries.
With the phasing out of the last of the few MiG-21s in September, the number of the IAF's fighter squadrons is expected to come down to 29 against the sanctioned strength of 42.
The development comes even as China is already in the process of developing a sixth-generation fighter jet. Although Pakistan has denied it, reports also suggest that China may supply fifth-generation fighters to Islamabad.
According to news agency ANI, a detailed presentation in this regard was made by the IAF to the government, outlining its requirements for maintaining an edge over India's adversaries.
Quoting defence sources, the ANI report said the Indian Air Force is looking to procure around 40-60 aircraft while the AMCA project is taking shape.
An empowered committee headed by Defence Secretary R.K. Singh had recently suggested induction of the fifth-generation fighters to enhance the deterrence capabilities and preparedness of the IAF, especially along India's northern and western frontiers.
India has two options if it decides to go for a stopgap induction—the US F-35 or the Russian Su-57. The US has offered India the F-35—the most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter globally—while Russia too has proposed the sale of Su-57 to India.
The ANI report further claims that India is also looking at a programme to build over 110 4.5 plus generation fighters in partnership with a foreign country under the Make in India initiative.