Given emerging deterrence gap, multiple trajectories need to be adopted post haste [sic] for acquiring 4.5 generation and 5th Generation fighters for the Indian Air Force.
The much-awaited Report of the Empowered Committee for Capability Enhancement of the IAF headed by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh was presented to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on March 03, 2025. The timely submission of the report needs to be acknowledged.
While details of the report are not publicly available, hopefully this will provide the momentum for combat fighter acquisition for the Indian Air Force and not be another tome in the archives of the Ministry of Defence [MOD].
Indeed, now it is well acknowledged that the IAF faces a crisis not only in terms of combat fighter strength but also in terms of generation of aircraft compared to adversaries China as well as Pakistan.
Under the circumstances multiple tracks of acquisition will have to be set into motion for the deterrence gap is widening.
One option is rapid production of the indigenous LCA Mark 1 A. American engine major General Electric is reportedly now assuring steady stream of provision of engines for the fighter but there are other bottlenecks as well.
The 180 Tejas Mark-1A fighters and 108 Tejas Mark-2 jets needs to move on parallel tracks as the IAF will be down to 20 squadrons by the end of 2030 with a number of squadrons under phase out.
The second option is that of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender – a program to acquire 114 fighters in the 4.5 generation. The IAF needs to issue the Request for Proposal or the tender for the programme on priority.
The third option is to make up the fifth generation fighter gap by rapid development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft [AMCA] by the Defence Research Development Organisation [DRDO], Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd and the private sector aerospace enterprises under a special purpose vehicle for manufacturing.
Yet another option is to import a fifth generation fighter with the United States and Russia waiting in the wings.
In fact, the IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, at the India Today Conclave held at the Taj Palace in New Delhi on March 7-8, 2025 suggested that the company winning the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender could also significantly contribute to the AMCA program.
Progress of some of these options is discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.
Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft – Hybrid Option
IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has proposed a two-pronged approach to rapidly acquire fifth generation capability -development of the AMCA with limited purchase of foreign fifth-generation fighters. As per the Times of India he suggested, "buy something from outside with some indigenous content, which progressively increases, and collaborate with them to develop the AMCA."
India has also been offered two advanced stealth fighters for its air force in the last few weeks. While the Russians put on the table the Sukhoi Su-57E stealth jet for the Indian Air Force, US President Donald Trump offered the F-35 II Lightning when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in America recently.
Denis Alipov, the Russian ambassador to India, has claimed that the Su-57E is the best combat aircraft currently flying and his country has already offered the same to the IAF along with the possibility of setting up a joint production facility.
US President Donald Trump has also pitched the sale of F-35 stealth fighter jets to India during the joint press meet with the Indian Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi in February this year but senior foreign and defence ministry officials as well as Air Chief Marshal AP Singh have clarified that there is no formal offer.
US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick has urged India to end its reliance on Russian military equipment, arguing that such a move is essential for strengthening ties between New Delhi and Washington while speaking at the 2025 India Today Conclave. Will the Russian offer egg on the Americans to propose the F 35 remains to be seen?
With some European countries envisaging cancellation of their proposals for acquiring the fighter due to divisions in relations with Europe, there is a window for India which can be exploited though the issue is contentious in the aerospace strategic community in Delhi and Bengaluru.
Progress on AMCA
A committee chaired by defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, which includes IAF vice chief Air Marshal S P Dharkar, secretary (defence production) Sanjeev Kumar and officials from DRDO and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is slated to submit its report next month on AMCA.
AMCA is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The first flight of AMCA Mark-I is expected to take by 2028, and production will start by 2030. Mass production is anticipated to begin by 2035. IAF plans to induct seven squadrons (126 jets) of the expensive AMCA with AI powered electronic pilot systems, netcentric warfare systems, integrated vehicle health management and the like.
The initial development cost of the AMCA project is estimated to be close to ₹15,000 crore (approximately $1.8 billion USD). Total cost will be up to $ 5 billion.
Engines for AMCA
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, the head of DRDO, confirmed ongoing negotiations at the Aero India 2025 event with GE, Rolls-Royce, and Safran for the joint development and production of the AMCA engine, with a decision anticipated by the end of the year. This may result in engine trials by 2033 and starting production by 2035.
GE is proposing to co-develop a powerful engine in the 110-130 kilonewton (kN) thrust class drawing from F414 engine design.
Rolls-Royce, known for its EJ200 engine powering Eurofighter Typhoon) and its involvement in the 6th-generation Tempest fighter program, is offering a co-development model that includes joint intellectual property rights (IPR).
Safran, manufactures the M88 engine for the Rafale fighter jet is proposing a 100% transfer of technology, including full intellectual property rights, for a new engine also in the 110-130 kN thrust class.
A report also indicated that Ministry of Defence (MoD) has allowed Russia to participate in negotiations for the engine. Russia's Rostec, a state-owned defense conglomerate, has proposed its 177S engine. The 177s is presented as a hybrid of the AL-41F1 and AL-51 powerplants.
Indigenous development of a 110 kilonewton thrust-class engine to power the 25-tonne AMCA with foreign technology collaboration is also on the cards.
While the first two squadrons will be powered by GE-F414 engines in the 98 kilonewton thrust class, the next five will have 110 kilonewton engines.
Special Purpose Vehicle [SPV] for AMCA
The SPV for AMCA will have multiple partners specializing in subsystems like avionics (electronic flight control systems), radar, and propulsion. HAL will hold a minority stake in the SPV, supplying critical components (such as engines and landing gear), and ensuring the aircraft meets the Indian Air Force's (IAF) specifications, drawing upon its extensive experience in fighter jet manufacturing. Mahindra Defence Systems, a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra is said to have opted out of AMXA aircraft's production, leaving Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) as the primary contenders.
Conclusion
Moving beyond the narrative is important for the MOD and the IAF for in a dogfight of the future generation of the aircraft and the ability to deploy networked assets will be paramount and not lofty statements on the ground.
The present IAF fleet will not be able to cope with the challenges with ageing airframes and outdated electronics suites. The IAF no doubt has very skillful pilots providing them the tools to kill and survive on the battlefield of the 2030’s needs action today with clear pathways identified herein.
Note - Due to technical error some of the sources of the article could not be linked, which will be done shortly.
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