IAF chief AP Singh says India may buy foreign fighters if AMCA slips

The Indian Air Force will consider buying foreign fifth-generation fighter jets, such as Russia's Su-57, if the development of its own indigenous stealth fighter faces major delays, the head of the air force has announced.

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said at a press conference in New Delhi that while the domestic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains the priority, the air force cannot afford to wait indefinitely. Russia has already offered its Su-57 platform, though Singh stressed that "no decision has been taken yet" on whether to accept it.

The warning comes as the air force faces a severe fleet shortage. It currently operates just 29 or 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42, a deficit made worse by the looming retirement of ageing aircraft. To bridge the gap and rebuild its strength, Singh said the air force needs to induct between 36 and 40 new aircraft every single year.

The AMCA programme and domestic delays

The domestic AMCA programme is currently in its industry selection phase. The Ministry of Defence recently extended the deadline for Indian companies to submit bids to 30 October after prospective partners asked for more preparation time.

At the same time, the air force is dealing with delays in other domestic projects. Deliveries from a contract for 180 light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A have slipped. Singh acknowledged these setbacks, noting that while timeline disruptions are common, "this time, the delay has been much." The air force is also looking toward the Mk2 version of the Tejas to help plug the gaps.

Deliveries of the first batch of 83 Tejas aircraft have been delayed, although IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit said in September that the technical issues causing the hold-up should be resolved within two months. A second batch of 97 aircraft is scheduled to start arriving in September 2027.

Procurement of Rafale and the role of new tech

To bolster numbers in the medium term, India is pushing ahead with plans to procure 114 multi-role fighter aircraft, focusing heavily on the French Rafale. India already operates 36 Rafale jets.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh recently suggested this deal could be signed by the end of the current financial year. Under the proposed terms, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation would integrate Indian weapons, with about 90 of the 114 jets manufactured locally.

Beyond manned fighters, the air chief ruled out creating a dedicated, independent drone branch. He described unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions as "evolutionary" rather than revolutionary, arguing they should remain integrated into existing air force units.

Singh also praised the exceptional bravery of flydubai captain Smit Machchhar, saying his actions during a recent incident showed "great physical and mental resolve" and offered a lesson for the force.