SOURCE: AFI
India’s Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Singh, has clarified that the Indian government is not currently engaged in formal consultations for the procurement of advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including the Russian Su-57E or the American F-35. The statement comes amidst speculation about India’s potential interest in acquiring these cutting-edge platforms to bolster its air defense capabilities.
In a recent statement, Singh addressed queries regarding India’s consideration of fifth-generation fighters, stating, “We don’t have any formal consultations going on for these [aircraft].” This indicates that no official talks have been initiated with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), such as Russia’s Sukhoi or the United States’ Lockheed Martin, for the procurement of the Su-57E or F-35, respectively. The clarification puts to rest rumors circulating in defense circles about potential negotiations for these advanced aircraft.
The Su-57E, an export variant of Russia’s Su-57 Felon, is a stealth multirole fighter designed for air superiority and precision strikes. Similarly, the F-35 Lightning II, developed by Lockheed Martin, is a family of single-seat, single-engine, all-weather stealth multirole fighters known for their advanced sensor fusion and network-enabled operations. Both aircraft represent the pinnacle of modern aviation technology, offering stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics.
The Defence Secretary’s remarks reflect India’s cautious approach to acquiring foreign fifth-generation fighters, as the country focuses on indigenous defense development and self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. India is currently investing heavily in its own fifth-generation fighter program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and private industry partners.
The AMCA project aims to deliver a stealth multirole fighter tailored to India’s operational requirements, with features such as low radar observability, advanced avionics, and supercruise capability. The first prototype of the AMCA is expected to take flight by 2028, with production targeted for the early 2030s. Given this focus, India appears to be prioritizing domestic development over immediate foreign acquisitions, especially for high-cost platforms like the SU-57E or F-35.
Speculation about India’s interest in the SU-57E or F-35 has been fueled by the IAF’s need for advanced platforms to counter China’s growing fleet of stealth fighters, including the J-20 and J-31. However, Singh’s statement suggests that New Delhi is not rushing into negotiations for foreign fifth-generation fighters, possibly due to strategic, financial, or diplomatic considerations.
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