IAF chief AP Singh flags China-Pakistan fifth-gen jet deal, warns of fleet delays

What happened

The Indian Air Force needs to rapidly step up its aircraft inductions to stop its combat strength from sliding further, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh warned on Saturday, as he flagged a brewing fifth-generation fighter alliance between Pakistan and China.

Speaking at his annual press conference before his retirement at the end of October, the IAF chief described Pakistan's moves to acquire Chinese stealth fighters as a "cause for worry". However, he insisted the threat remains manageable for now, pointing to India's superior systems integration and referencing successes during the 2025 Operation Sindoor.

"We are getting the information that Pakistan is going to acquire a 5th Generation Fighter jet and that their pilots have already been training in China," Singh said. "It is not just one platform that matters, but the integration of that platform in your own system."

Why the fleet is under pressure

The more pressing headache for New Delhi is the state of its own fleet. The IAF is currently operating with 29 or 30 fighter squadrons, far below its authorised strength of 42. To halt the decline and rebuild its numbers, Singh said the air force needs to induct between 36 and 40 new aircraft every year.

"There is some extra delay this time, and there is no doubt that it is going to hurt us," Singh said.

The domestic Tejas LCA Mk-1A programme is already running behind schedule. The first deliveries, originally due in March 2024, were delayed by GE Aerospace's slow supply of F404-IN20 engines and certification setbacks. Deliveries of the 180 ordered jets are now expected to start this December.

To bridge the gap, the IAF is counting on three main pillars: domestic production, the purchase of additional Sukhoi-30MKIs, and a long-delayed deal for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). Singh expressed hope that the MRFA contract—expected to bring in French Rafale jets, with 20 delivered ready-to-fly and the rest built in India—could be finalised by the end of the financial year.

What happens next

The looming shadow of a Pak-China fifth-generation fighter jet deal is also forcing India to reconsider its long-term stealth strategy. India is currently developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with a first prototype flight slated for 2028. But Singh hinted that the military cannot afford to wait indefinitely if domestic timelines slip.

"We may have to look at other fighter platforms in case of delays in AMCA," the Air Chief said. Russia has actively pitched its Su-57 stealth fighter to India, including offers for joint production, though Singh confirmed "no decision has been made" yet. The defence ministry has publicly maintained it remains committed to the domestic AMCA project.