India is running out of time on fifth-generation fighter ...News

As China and Pakistan deploy advanced aircraft, critics say New Delhi remains stuck with costly choices that do little to close the gap

Despite India’s increased defense spending, robust government support for domestic arms and military technology manufacturers, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal focus on the development of the military-industrial complex, experts warn that the Indian Air Force faces a critical squadron decline that may influence its ability to counter potential adversaries. 

This paradox stems from India’s procurement policies, which do not prioritize the acquisition of advanced aircraft for the air force. Apparently, segments of India’s business elite and military leadership, possibly influenced by Western companies, are lobbying for contracts that offer questionable benefits to the country’s armed forces. 

While India’s geopolitical and military rivals (China and Pakistan) invest in cutting-edge technology – such as the fifth-generation J-20 and J-35 multi-role fighters – India continues to acquire fourth-generation aircraft like the Rafale and Tejas fighters. However, such aircraft cannot address modern combat challenges or threats effectively.

The situation looks even more dire considering that the Rafale and Tejas fighters are not superior to the Su-30MKI, the primary fighter in service with the Indian Air Force, and may even fall short when it comes to certain tactical specifications. The Su-30MKI boasts significant advantages in speed, maneuverability, payload capacity, and operational range.

This raises a crucial question: why are substantial financial resources from the Indian budget allocated for the purchase of expensive aircraft (Rafale fighters cost about €160 million each) directly from the French private firm Dassault Aviation, when the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) offers the option to procure Su-30MKI aircraft assembled under license from Russia at a considerably lower cost?

Real threats

Clearly, the rivalry between Pakistan (and China, which stands behind it) and India is not going to fade anytime soon. In fact, competition will likely intensify in the foreseeable future. A critical factor in preventing the most dangerous scenarios lies in maintaining a balance of military capabilities and defense potential between the opposing sides. So, what does the power balance look like today?

Islamabad and Beijing are heavily investing in fifth-generation multirole fighters. By 2030, Pakistan is expected to field no fewer than 40 J-35AE fighters, while the Chinese Air Force could deploy up to 500 J-20s and J-35 fighters. Additionally, the Chinese Navy may have over 50 carrier-based J-35s. In total, this amounts to about 600 fifth-generation fighters – each one of them superior to any fourth-generation aircraft.

Armed with highly effective long-range air-to-air weapons, Pakistan and China’s stealthy fifth-generation fighters will be able to launch missile attacks without being detected by Indian Air Force radar systems. Under such circumstances, India’s military aviation could face a devastating defeat, leading to humiliation and a prolonged recovery process. This is inevitable, since fifth-generation fighters surpass fourth-generation aircraft.

The strategy of overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers and concentrating an extensive air force over specific combat zones, is fundamentally flawed: no number of Rafale or Tejas fighters can match the combat capabilities of J-20 and J-35 aircraft.

The air forces of Pakistan and China possess cutting-edge technologies like stealth capabilities, advanced radar systems capable of covertly tracking opponents, and long-range missiles that significantly outdistance those in the arsenals of Rafale and Tejas fighters.

However, if the Indian Air Force were to acquire Su-57E fighters, equipped with stealth technology, the modern N-036 Byelka radar, long-range RVV-BD missiles, and other state-of-the-art munitions, India’s ability to confront its neighbors in the above-mentioned scenarios would change dramatically.

READ MORE: Air superiority at stake: Why India must consider the Su-57 now

Why Russia?

For over 70 years, Soviet and Russian aviation technology has been in service with the Indian military, demonstrating remarkable efficiency and reliability. Russia has proven to be a dependable partner in military-technical cooperation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised the quality and effectiveness of Russian weapons, particularly highlighting their successful deployment during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Moscow is eager to continue the mutually beneficial collaboration with New Delhi in the defense sector. This includes maintaining the joint Su-30MKI program and potentially organizing licensed assembly of the fifth-generation Su-57E fighter at facilities operated by India’s HAL.

The ongoing modernization of the Pakistani Air Force and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force with advanced aircraft has prompted India to take decisive actions to restore parity and the balance of power. Given the current circumstances, a swift acquisition of 50 Su-57E fighters from Russia under a fast-track mechanism, along with plans for licensed production of an additional 450 units in India, seems like the most prudent course of action. This could involve the latest two-seat variant, the Su-57D. Over the next few decades, such a project would effectively address the challenges and threats that India faces. 

More than just a prototype

The Su-57 fighter jet has already entered service with the Russian Air Force and has participated in combat operations. 

India contributed to the development of the fighter that served as the basis for the Su-57. In 2010, the Indian Ministry of Defense initiated the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program to create an indigenous fifth-generation fighter. However, after more than 15 years, this program has yet to reach the flight testing stage. Serial production is not likely to commence before 2035. 

Alexander Mikheev, head of Rosoboronexport, and Vadim Badekha, head of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), confirmed that the Su-57 aircraft – specifically its export version, the Su-57E –  is already being delivered abroad. The Su-57E is available for friendly countries collaborating with Russia on defense projects. If India approaches Moscow regarding the supply of this combat aircraft, Russia would likely respond in a positive manner. 

Moreover, advanced Russian technologies transferred to India under a licensing agreement will assist Indian specialists in refining and successfully implementing several national projects, including the AMCA.

Unlike American F-35s – which have struggled to maintain supersonic speeds in sustained cruise mode –  the Su-57 meets all the criteria expected of a fifth-generation fighter.

For New Delhi, the Su-57 offers multiple advantages, especially since it was designed at the same bureau that developed the Su-30MKI – the Indian Air Force’s primary combat aircraft as of 2026. This continuity provides valuable benefits in terms of operational procedures, maintenance, repair, and logistical support, leveraging existing airfield, storage, and training infrastructures.

READ MORE: Here’s why India is rushing to acquire more Russian missiles

Indigenous programs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highly supports India’s national defense industry initiatives. He made history as the first prime minister of India to fly in the cockpit of a supersonic fighter jet.

Professional pilots who have flown the Tejas aircraft praise its performance, noting it surpasses the MiG-21, which the Tejas was designed to replace under the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program that began in 1983. However, the mission was not fulfilled; the project has faced significant delays, and by the time the Tejas was deployed in 2015, the vast majority of the 874 MiG-21s acquired by the Indian Air Force between 1963 and 1987 had already been retired due to wear and tear. Instead of 20 squadrons of MiG aircraft, by 2026, the Indian Air Force had just two Tejas squadrons consisting of 30 single-seat and six two-seat models. Field tests are being conducted to identify and rectify issues on aircraft from the initial production batch.

The 18th Squadron, formed in 2020, has already lost two Tejas planes in accidents – one in March 2024 and another in November 2025. The latter incident involved a fatal failure during a demonstration flight at an airshow in Dubai. The initial variant (Mark I) will no longer be produced, as it proved unreliable and technically inadequate.

Like many Indian projects, Tejas is plagued by delays which result in technological obsolescence by the time of production. Consequently, the substantial financial investments in such programs fail to deliver the expected returns or strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

Indian manufacturers also developed a naval version of the Tejas. Testing began in 2020 aboard the INS Vikramaditya aircraft carrier (built by Russia under Project 11430) and continued three years later on the indigenously constructed INS Vikrant. The compact design of the Tejas offers advantages for hangar storage; however, with a standard combat load, it can only operate within a few hundred miles. During combat operations, the carrier would need to approach the target closer, increasing the risk of retaliatory strikes from the enemy.

After conducting evaluations, the Indian Navy concluded that such an aircraft was not suitable for carrier operations. The official reason for rejecting the LCA-Navy was its low thrust-to-weight ratio, which prevented full utilization of the aircraft’s potential when taking off from an aircraft carrier. In response to requests from Indian industry, further tests were conducted on an upgraded version, but its performance still fell short of naval requirements.

Coming to terms with the LCA-Navy’s inability to meet expectations, Indian aerospace engineers proposed a completely new aircraft – the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), which bears a striking resemblance to the French Rafale-M. This move signifies a concession by the creators and advocates of the Tejas, acknowledging their defeat in the competition for carrier aviation. Work on the TEDBF began in 2020. The prototype’s first flight is scheduled for 2032 and serial production is anticipated in 2038.

Meanwhile, last year, the People’s Liberation Army Navy received its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, equipped with fifth-generation J-35 fighters. Construction has also begun on the fourth Type 004 aircraft carrier. It will likely have a displacement of around 100,000 tons and accommodate an air wing of 100 aircraft, including the J-35.

Dependence on the US

In coordination with the main contractor, Indian industry continues Tejas Mark IA testing, which started in spring 2022. Without waiting for these trials to conclude, the Indian Air Force has placed two successive orders totaling 141 single-seat and 41 two-seat aircraft, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2032. Production will take place at two facilities in Bangalore and Nasik.

Following this, production of the Tejas Mark II is expected to commence. The first test flight has faced multiple delays and is now expected no earlier than 2028. While no firm order has been placed for this new model, the Air Force leadership hopes to eventually have 18 squadrons of Tejas aircraft, including 10 Mark II variant squadrons. 

The idea to direct resources into producing fourth-generation fighters for the next decade seems imprudent, given that China has mastered mass production of fifth-generation aircraft and is set to begin transitioning to sixth-generation models in the coming years. Deliveries of Chinese J-35 fifth-generation fighters to Pakistan are underway, while existing JF-17s are being upgraded with systems and munitions developed for the J-35.

However, a far more pressing issue is the potential deepening dependence on the United States. Throughout the practical implementation of the LCA program, the technical specifications of the aircraft have been repeatedly adjusted, primarily by replacing certain Indian components with foreign ones, which gradually increases the foreign share in the cost of mass-produced products. Among the imported items, the most expensive was the US engine, which had to replace the GTX-35VS Kaveri engine which faced challenges in meeting technical criteria. 

Negotiations for a licensed production agreement for the F414 engine have been challenging, largely because Washington is reluctant to share advanced General Electric technologies developed with Pentagon funding. The US is only willing to share some of the technology, omitting the most sensitive components.

The reluctance to fully share F414 engine technology can be explained by one factor: Washington seeks to maintain leverage over New Delhi by controlling the pace of the licensed production of engines for India’s frontline air force.

The second most costly imported component is the onboard radar system. Development of an indigenous MMR radar was halted due to unsatisfactory test results, leading to a preference for foreign alternatives. The prototype aircraft utilized the Ericsson-Ferranti PS-05 radar, originally designed for the Swedish JAS-39 Gripen. Delays in the LCA program rendered the PS-05 obsolete, resulting in its discontinuation. It has since been replaced by the EL/M-2032, which now equips Mark I variants.

READ MORE: How Moscow’s legendary S-400 missiles helped India outgun Pakistan

It’s worth noting that Elta’s product is also outdated; it was developed in the 1980s for the Israeli Lavi fighter jet (canceled in 1987). The obsolescence is particularly evident in its use of mechanical beam scanning, while the Russian N-011M radar on the Su-30MKI, which was introduced into the Indian Air Force in 2002, boasts more advanced electronic scanning technology.

Recently, Elta proposed the EL/M-2052 with an active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar configuration. The manufacturer promises to refine it by the time Mark IA aircraft (formed in 2015) are delivered to the air force, projected for late this year or early next year. Various publications have diligently presented Israeli radars as a “temporary solution” for the Tejas program, but as seen with General Electric engines, “temporary” solutions often end up being used much longer than expected.

Strategic decision-making

The practical implementation of the LCA program has resulted in yet another fourth-generation supersonic fighter jet emerging on the global stage. However, the Tejas does not surpass its foreign counterparts. Technically, the Tejas Mark I barely matches the Chinese FC-1, which was adopted by the Pakistan Air Force as the JF-17 in 2007. At best, the Tejas Mark II might reach the level of the JF-17 Block III (with AESA, operational since 2023) and the J-10CE, which Pakistani pilots effectively utilized to fend off an Indian airstrike in May 2025.

With the Indian Air Force already operating a substantial fleet of over 300 Su-30MKIs and Rafale aircraft, which are far better suited for the interception of aerial threats and air superiority missions, the Tejas Mark I may only serve effectively in ground attack operations and pilot training. Fortunately, being a lightweight, single-engine aircraft means it has low fuel consumption. Nevertheless, its limited thrust-to-weight ratio, outdated radar, reduced payload capacity, and narrow selection of munitions (lacking long-range air-to-air missiles), along with the absence of critical stealth technologies naturally confine the aircraft to its own niche. The Su-57E is in a different class altogether. 

Consequently, the Tejas cannot be viewed as a viable alternative to the Su-57E. Continuing the LCA program in its current form hampers the decision-making process, since the program competes for budget resources. Moreover, there’s another contender for state funding – the AMCA, with its first flight planned for 2034 and serial production slated for 2036.

In selecting a fifth-generation fighter program, decision-makers in India will need to consider numerous factors and criteria that can sometimes be conflicting and contradictory. Among these is the inherent bias towards domestic projects (i.e. AMCA, LCA, etc.), even if they may not be technically or technologically superior compared to the best foreign alternatives.

The desire to produce everything domestically is understandable, but there are many compelling arguments in favor of purchasing the best foreign technologies or producing them under license. The advanced Su-57E, a premier frontline fighter, is one of such example. For India, Russia remains a reliable partner as decades of effective military-technical collaboration have proven.

Hence then, the article about india is running out of time on fifth generation fighter was published today ( Sunday 01/11/2026 - 10:36 AM ) and is available on Russia Today ( News ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.

Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( India is running out of time on fifth-generation fighter )

Also on site :

• China sees the yuan vs. dollar rivalry like Pepsi vs. Coke, expert says — ‘never the market leader, but serviceable in a pinch’
• In 1957, Ford launched the Edsel after spending $250 million developing it; two years later Ford discontinued it, having lost $350 million
• ’90s Rock Band Made Famous by Aaliyah Vampire Movie Returns With First New Music in 10 Years as Gen Z Gives Them a Second Life