IAF TO ADDRESS SQUADRON GAPS, INTERIM SOLUTION TO ACQUIRE FIFTH-GENERATION JETS

It is widely noted that the IAF needs to urgently plug a growing capability gap as the thrust comes amid thinning squadron strength. Could there be an interim solution to fill the void?

- By MANISH KUMAR JHA

THE INDIAN AIR FORCE (IAF) HAS FORMALLY RECOMMENDED acquiring two to three squadrons (roughly 40-60 aircraft) of fifth-generation stealth fighters.

It is widely noted that the IAF needs to urgently plug a growing capability gap as the thrust comes amid thinning squadron strength (projected to fall to 29 by October 2025, versus an authorised 42.5) and a rapidly advancing adversary in the region. This comes in the background of the final batch of ageing MiG-21s, which is set to retire by September, leading to an acute shortfall.

To address such an anomaly, a high-level panel led by the Defence Secretary in looking into and evaluating various possibilities. For stopgap arrangements, certain reports point out the two stealth offerings – F-35 from the US, and Su-57 from Russia. F-35 is the only fifth-generation operational fighter that is widely used by the US and its allies. Russia’s Su-57 is an advanced fighter jet with many features of fifth-generation elements.

The United States has pitched its F-35 stealth fighter, widely deployed by its allies across the globe. Russia, on the other hand, has proposed its Su-57 jet. Both aircraft are classified as fifth-generation platforms. However, the foreign route is already in discussion under the MRFA programme for 114 jets with a ‘Make in India’ component.

PROJECT STATUS & INSTITUTIONAL OVERSIGHT: SQUADRONS UNDER STRAIN

Approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024 with a ₹15,000+ crore budget, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India's flagbearer for indigenous fifth-generation capability.