Even as many countries are equipping themselves with fifth-generation fighter jets, and while India is only in the initial stages of the development of its own fifth-generation programme, advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet has emerged as the only option for India to boost the stealth capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to a report in the Business Standard, a source said that while matching the acquisitions by other nations does not drive the procurement priorities of IAF, the force requires its own radar-evading platforms and counter-stealth capabilities.
As AMCA is only in the early phase, "Su-57 remains the only viable option for bringing stealth capabilities to the IAF within a shorter timeframe," the source was quoted as saying, adding that if such a procurement ever happens, it would not come at the cost of India's indigenous programmes.
These remarks come amid reports that Pakistan would be one of the first buyers of the export variant of China’s fifth-generation fighter jet J-35A, tentatively called J-35AE.
The Business Standard also quoted the source as saying that ensuring the procurement of French Dassault Rafale jets on time is essential to ensure the IAF's declining fighter jet strength is contained.
The source noted that defending India's airspace with just a few expensive stealth fighters is not feasible, as these jets carry their weapons in the internal bays.
"Because these jets carry their weapons in internal bays with limited space, they cannot deliver the same weight of action on target as, say, a Sukhoi Su-30MKI or Rafale equipped with cruise missiles on external hardpoints. A stealth jet compromises its radar-evading capability if it carries larger, more impactful weapons externally,” the publication quoted the source as saying.
While fifth-gen fighters are essential for operating in a highly contested airspace like India's in order to carry out strikes like Operation Sindoor, India would require more 4.5 fighter jets, the source added.
Earlier, the CEO of the Russian state-arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, had said the company was offering India the supply of Su-57E fighter jets, as well as the organisation of their production in India and assistance in developing AMCA.
