SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
At the India Today Conclave 2025, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), made a significant statement about the IAF’s potential response to evolving regional threats, particularly the possibility of Pakistan acquiring fifth-generation fighter jets.
While emphasizing India’s commitment to its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, the Air Chief Marshal hinted at the possibility of an off-the-shelf purchase of foreign fifth-generation fighters as a stopgap measure if the strategic balance in South Asia shifts dramatically.
The IAF has historically maintained a qualitative and numerical edge over the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), with platforms like the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, Rafale, and Tejas providing a technological advantage over the PAF’s fleet of F-16s, JF-17s, and Mirage III/V aircraft. However, the global proliferation of fifth-generation stealth fighters, such as the US F-35 Lightning II, China’s J-20, and Russia’s Su-57, has raised concerns about the PAF potentially acquiring such advanced platforms to close the gap.
Pakistan has reportedly shown interest in China’s J-20 stealth fighter and the FC-31 (also known as J-31), a lighter fifth-generation jet under development. While no confirmed deals have materialized, the possibility of Pakistan acquiring such aircraft—potentially through China’s growing military-industrial partnership—poses a significant challenge to the IAF’s dominance. Air Chief Marshal Singh acknowledged this threat at the India Today Conclave, stating, “If Pakistan acquires fifth-generation fighters, we may have to look at an off-the-shelf purchase to maintain our edge.”
The centerpiece of India’s long-term fighter jet strategy is the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The AMCA program aims to deliver a state-of-the-art platform with stealth capabilities, supercruise, advanced avionics, and network-centric warfare features, tailored to India’s specific operational requirements. The first prototype of the AMCA is expected to roll out by 2028, with induction into service projected for the mid-2030s.
Air Chief Marshal Singh underscored the importance of the AMCA program, stating, “Our fifth-generation aircraft is being developed, and we cannot have the project shelved to buy something from outside.” However, he acknowledged the timelines involved in indigenous development, noting that delays or unforeseen challenges could leave the IAF vulnerable in the interim if adversaries like Pakistan leapfrog to advanced technologies.
To address this potential gap, the Air Chief Marshal floated the idea of a dual-track approach: procuring a limited number of foreign fifth-generation fighters as an interim measure while continuing to develop the AMCA. “Maybe there will be a decision to buy something from outside with some indigenous content, which progressively increases, and collaborate with them to develop the AMCA,” he suggested.
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