SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official speaking to idrw.org at Aero India 2025 has indicated that the IAF is not keen on procuring the Su-57E from Russia. The top brass of the IAF believes that the Su-57E is not a fully developed fifth-generation fighter jet and still has several deficiencies.
Even if the IAF were to consider its acquisition, the entire avionics and radar systems would need to be replaced, negating the benefits of procurement due to the long time required for integration. By the time these modifications are completed, the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is expected to be ready for induction.
When asked about Pakistan’s potential procurement of the J-35A from China, IAF officials emphasized a more calculated approach this time. Unlike the past, when the IAF rushed to counter Pakistan’s acquisition of F-16s in the early 1980s by hastily procuring Mirage-2000s from France and MiG-29As from Russia, the IAF is adopting a strategic, long-term perspective. The focus remains on the development and deployment of advanced indigenous platforms like the AMCA rather than making impulsive acquisitions.
The IAF’s stance highlights its commitment to developing a self-reliant defense ecosystem while ensuring that its future fighter fleet aligns with long-term operational requirements.
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