India has taken a decisive stance that signals its rising confidence and ambition in building indigenous military capabilities. Amid mounting speculation and lobbying from both the United States and Russia over potential deals for their flagship fifth-generation fighter jets—the Lockheed Martin F-35A and the Sukhoi Su-57E—India has officially closed the door on foreign options. Instead, it is doubling down on its own stealth fighter: the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
This policy was clearly articulated by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who stated in a recent podcast interview that New Delhi was not engaged in any formal discussions with foreign suppliers regarding the procurement of fifth-generation platforms.
“On F-35A and Sukhoi Su-57E, whatever has been discussed has been informal. We don’t have any formal consultation going on on these,” Singh said.
He followed this up with a more assertive declaration:
“What I can talk about is our fifth-generation fighter, which will be the AMCA.”
This is not just a procurement decision—it is a major doctrinal shift. It reflects India’s intention to pursue strategic autonomy, reduce foreign dependencies in sensitive technologies, and establish itself as a credible aerospace power on its own terms.
Singh’s remarks echo earlier statements made by Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who had categorically stated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) had received no formal proposals for either the F-35 or the Su-57E. Dismissing speculative reports, the Air Chief explained that combat aircraft procurement was fundamentally different from civilian shopping.
“Acquiring advanced fighter aircraft is not like buying a refrigerator or a washing machine for the home,” he said.
His statement underlined the immense technical, strategic, and financial complexities that surround fifth-generation fighter acquisitions. Unlike traditional fourth-generation fighters, fifth-gen platforms are software-intensive, digitally integrated systems designed for multi-domain warfare. They are deeply embedded in the technological ecosystems of their countries of origin, often making operational sovereignty elusive for buyers.
Su-57E: A Cautionary Tale
- India’s reluctance to embrace the Su-57E is shaped by a history of frustration. A decade ago, India and Russia co-developed the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, based on the Su-57. The deal eventually collapsed due to delays, cost overruns, lack of transparent technology transfer, and disagreements over stealth metrics and sensor integration. The Su-57 continues to struggle with engine reliability, sensor fusion limitations, and radar cross-section issues. While Russia has promised that the Su-57E export version includes upgrades such as GaN-based AESA radars, and even offered full source code access—an unprecedented gesture—the technical trust deficit remains unresolved in New Delhi.
F-35A: A Strategic Paradox
- The F-35, on the other hand, represents the gold standard of fifth-generation airpower. Its stealth features, networked warfare capabilities, and battlefield survivability are unmatched. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, during a recent visit, extolled the F-35’s ability to project power across air, cyber, and space domains. Former President Donald Trump had also pushed for increased arms exports to India, suggesting the F-35 was on the table.
However, the F-35 comes with strings attached—logistical, political, and sovereignty-related. Integration into U.S. command architectures would challenge India’s long-standing doctrine of non-alignment. Moreover, the aircraft’s maintenance ecosystems, software dependencies, and mission data programming would require continuous U.S. oversight—something Indian military planners are not comfortable with.
Instead of importing stealth, India is choosing to build it.
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) most ambitious aerospace project ever. A fifth-generation, twin-engine stealth multirole platform, the AMCA is designed to meet the Indian Air Force’s demand for deep strike, air superiority, and electronic warfare capabilities—all in a contested Indo-Pacific battlespace.
AMCA:
- Internal weapons bays to maintain stealth
- AI-enabled avionics
- GaN-based AESA radar
- Supercruise-capable propulsion
- Advanced electronic warfare systems
- Sensor fusion and real-time battlefield data integration
DRDO is working in tandem with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the lead integrator, while private sector players like Tata Advanced Systems, L&T, Adani Defence, and Bharat Forge are supplying critical subsystems.
India expects to freeze the design by 2026, roll out the prototype by 2028, and begin production by 2032. Although ambitious, these timelines mark a generational leap in India’s defence technology.
The AMCA is more than just a stealth aircraft. It represents a national aspiration for defence industrial independence, technological parity, and strategic deterrence. Defence analysts argue that AMCA’s success could define India’s military posture for the next 30 years—placing it in the elite company of the U.S., China, and possibly South Korea.
Furthermore, AMCA is seen as a catalyst for broader industrial reform. It could generate thousands of skilled jobs, attract foreign investment, and enhance India’s status as a defence exporter—especially to countries in Southeast Asia and Africa.
It’s a gamble, but one with long-term payoffs.
Despite India’s firm stance, both Washington and Moscow are still vying for relevance.
Moscow has doubled down, reportedly offering India access to full mission software, customization rights, and even joint production. The Su-57E version is being aligned with India’s Super-30 modernization roadmap, suggesting radar and avionics co-development with Indian partners.
Some Indian analysts warn this could be a strategic trap to regain influence lost after the FGFA fallout.
Meanwhile, Washington is crafting a customized F-35A variant for India, to be presented in mid-2025:
- Indian-specific IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) systems
- Enhanced Software Defined Radios (SDRs)
- Integration with India’s C4ISR backbone
- Limited AI-enabled mission programming autonomy
Yet even this tailored pitch may not be enough to overcome Indian concerns about software control, technology black-boxing, and battlefield operational dependency.
India has learned hard lessons from past mega-deals. From delays in Rafale deliveries to the C-17 supply chain constraints and maintenance issues with Russian-origin platforms, India’s defence establishment is now wary of over-reliance on foreign OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
The AMCA project is designed to disrupt this pattern.
“We want to avoid buying a solution we don’t fully understand, can’t fully operate, or can’t improve independently,” said a senior DRDO official.
China’s aggressive deployment of fifth-generation fighters—particularly the J-20 Mighty Dragon—along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has raised alarms in New Delhi. Satellite imagery and local intelligence have confirmed the presence of stealth aircraft in Tibet and Xinjiang. Meanwhile, Beijing is also developing the J-35, a carrier-based stealth fighter, indicating future naval power projection in the Indian Ocean Region.
This has accelerated India’s focus on AMCA. Unlike imported options, AMCA can be adapted to specific operational needs across Himalayan altitudes and maritime scenarios—without approval or oversight from foreign governments.
Critics of the AMCA program worry about timeline slippage, cost overruns, and technological bottlenecks. India has a mixed record on indigenous defence programs. Projects like the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft took decades to mature, although they eventually delivered results.
To counter this, the government is streamlining procurement and development procedures under the new SP (Strategic Partnership) model, designed to allow DRDO-private partnerships without excessive bureaucratic interference.
India’s decision to say “no” to both the F-35A and Su-57E is not just about fighter jets. It’s about the kind of country India wants: a builder, not a buyer. A nation that secures its skies through innovation, not importation.
As the world shifts from traditional alliances to strategic partnerships, India’s choice reflects a vision that values sovereignty over speed, resilience over dependence, and innovation over acquisition.
With AMCA, India is not just developing a stealth jet—it is laying the foundation for its aerospace independence.
