India Air Force Modernization: India is facing a big decision about how to modernise its air force. The country has three options – buying the expensive American F-35 fighter jets, working with Russia on the Sukhoi Su-57, or focusing on its own homegrown fighter jet programs. With an aging fleet and rising threats from China, the Indian Air Force faces a tough choice, balancing costs, technology, and the goal of self-reliance in defence, according to a BBC report.
Russia’s Su-57 and Its Challenges
During a recent visit to Washington, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Donald Trump, who expressed interest in helping India buy F-35 stealth fighters. The F-35 is a highly advanced jet with cutting-edge sensors, AI systems, and stealth technology. However, each jet costs around $80 million, making it very expensive.
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The deal also has other issues. The US will not allow India to build the jets locally, which conflicts with India’s “Make in India” policy. Strict US rules on how India can use the jets may limit flexibility. Adding the F-35 to India’s air force, which already uses Russian, French, and Indian-made planes, could create logistical and technical challenges. Experts say the offer seems more about boosting US arms sales than meeting India’s defence needs.
Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 was once seen as a strong option for India. However, in 2018, India pulled out of a joint project with Russia to develop the Su-57. India was unhappy with issues like technology sharing, costs, and the jet’s performance. The Su-57 is still not widely used, raising questions about its effectiveness in real combat.
Other concerns include production delays, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and doubts about the jet’s reliability. India has been trying to reduce its reliance on Russian defence technology and is looking for other options. While the Su-57 is cheaper than the F-35, it is no longer seen as a long-term solution for India’s air force.
India’s Decreasing Fighter Fleet
India’s air force is facing a serious problem. It currently has only 31 squadrons of fighter jets, far fewer than the 42 it needs. According to Money Control, Over the past decade, China has added 435 new fighter jets, while India has lost 151. This makes it urgent for India to find a long-term plan to replace its aging fleet and maintain air superiority in the region.
India Air Force Modernization
To solve this problem, India is focusing on building its own fighter jets. The country plans to buy over 500 locally made aircraft. Key projects include the Tejas Mark 1A, with 83 jets already ordered and 97 more expected soon. India is also developing the Tejas Mark 2, a more advanced version of the Tejas. Another important project is the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s own stealth fighter. However, the AMCA is still at least 10 years away from being ready.
India also has plans to buy 114 foreign fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. This program requires foreign companies to build the jets in India and share their technology. However, the program has been delayed since 2019. The French Rafale jet is a leading contender, but delays in its delivery have caused further problems.
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Challenges in India’s Fighter Jet Plans
India faces three major challenges in modernising its air force. First, budget constraints have reduced India’s ability to spend on defence. Second, delays in domestic projects, especially those led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), have forced India to buy foreign jets as a temporary solution. Third, India still depends on foreign engines, like General Electric’s F-404 engines used in the Tejas jets, which creates supply chain risks.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has said that delays in delivering the Tejas Mark 1A might force India to buy foreign jets urgently. However, most experts believe India will not choose the F-35 or Su-57 soon. Instead, India is likely to focus on buying more Rafales or Tejas Mark 1As as a short-term solution. At the same time, India will push for co-production deals with foreign companies and speed up the development of the AMCA to achieve true self-reliance.
