The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) flagship fifth‑generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), has slipped past its projected 2026 sortie‑capable milestone, sparking fresh urgency in the ministry’s procurement strategy. The AMCA, a twin‑engine, low‑observable platform designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), was slated to leapfrog the F‑35 and J‑35 in terms of stealth and avionics, but lack of a launch‑pad and supply‑chain bottlenecks have stalled progress.
In a candid address at the annual press conference, Singh admitted that the delay could force the IAF to look beyond the domestic programme. Russia’s Su‑57, the only operational fifth‑generation fighter outside the U.S. and China, has been offered as a stop‑gap, but no decision has yet been made. "If there are delays in the AMCA, we may have to look at other options," he said, underscoring that the Su‑57 would fill a critical capability gap while the domestic project matures.
The chief also highlighted a perennial concern: the IAF’s squadron numbers are eroding as older aircraft retire. Singh stressed that the force needs to induct roughly 36 to 40 fighters each year to maintain 20‑squadron strength, a figure that would keep the average squadron at 18–20 jets. "Without this infusion, we risk falling behind on operational readiness," he warned.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who approved the AMCA’s execution model in May 2024, has reiterated that the government remains committed to a homegrown fifth‑generation platform. However, he acknowledged the need for a pragmatic interim solution, suggesting that a phased procurement of the Su‑57 could be explored while the AMCA blueprint is refined.
The decision‑making body, the Defence Procurement Board, is slated to review the procurement options during the next defence budget session in September. The board will weigh the cost, delivery timelines, and integration challenges of the Su‑57 against the long‑term benefits of an indigenous AMCA.
For frontline crews, the prospect of a new aircraft on the horizon offers a glimmer of operational continuity. A squadron pilot from Kanpur, who has flown the MiG‑29 for the past decade, said the addition of newer jets would lift morale and reinforce the IAF’s deterrence posture.