India is evaluating the acquisition of fifth-generation fighters, hesitating between the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57, while developing its own MCAA program to reinforce its defense autonomy.
India is at a strategic crossroads when it comes to strengthening its air fleet. Two major offers are on the table: Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II and Sukhoi’s Su-57E. At the same time, India is developing its own stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), aimed at reducing its dependence on arms imports. Each option presents unique advantages and challenges, influencing the future direction of Indian air defense.
Assessing American and Russian offers
At the Aero India 2025 show in Bengaluru, India was courted by two aerospace giants: the American F-35A from Lockheed Martin and the Russian Su-57E from Sukhoi. This situation reflects India’s non-aligned position, historically close to Russia for its military equipment, but with an increasing openness towards the USA in recent years.
The Su-57E, the export version of the Su-57, is a fifth-generation stealth fighter designed for multi-purpose missions. It is equipped with two engines, reaching a maximum speed of Mach 2 and an operational range of around 1,900 kilometers. Russia has offered India local production of the Su-57E with full technology transfer, and is considering collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for assembly at the Nasik plant, where the Su-30MKI is currently produced.
The F-35A is a single-engine stealth fighter with advanced capabilities. It reaches a top speed of Mach 1.6 and has a combat range of around 1,500 kilometers. Then US President Donald Trump expressed his willingness to supply the F-35 to India, marking an unprecedented offer given India’s close relationship with Russia. However, the proposal came as a surprise to Delhi, with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs indicating that no formal procurement process had been initiated.
Performance and technology integration analysis
The F-35A and Su-57E have distinct characteristics that influence their potential integration into the Indian Air Force.
The F-35A has advanced stealth capabilities, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect. It is designed for offensive missions, capable of penetrating contested airspace to carry out precision strikes. However, integrating the F-35A into India’s existing command and control networks, mainly based on Russian designs such as the Su-30MKI, could pose challenges. The U.S. may be reluctant to allow interconnection with systems of Russian origin, thus limiting operational effectiveness.
The Su-57E, on the other hand, is designed for defensive missions, with an emphasis on intercepting enemy aircraft attempting to penetrate protected airspace. It is equipped with five radars, including three X-band AESA radars and two L-band radars integrated into the wing leading-edge extensions. The L-band radars are more effective against stealth aircraft optimized against X-band frequencies, such as the F-35. In addition, the Su-57E is equipped with an infrared search and track system (IRST), enhancing its ability to detect and track stealth targets. Integration of the Su-57E would be smoother with India’s existing infrastructure, reducing technical complications.
Financial and strategic implications
Cost is a key factor in India’s decision. The Su-57E is offered at an estimated unit price of between $35 and $40 million, less than half the cost of the F-35A, which is in excess of $80 million. However, the F-35A benefits from a more extensive global supply chain, advanced avionics and interoperability with NATO forces, factors that could justify its higher cost.
India must also consider the strategic implications of its choice. Opting for the F-35A could strengthen relations with the United States, but could also limit defense cooperation with Russia, a long-standing partner. Conversely, choosing the Su-57E could strengthen ties with Russia, but could restrict access to certain Western technologies.
The development of the MCAA program and the quest for autonomy
In parallel with these offers, India is pursuing the development of its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This program aims to strengthen India’s autonomy in defense matters and reduce its dependence on arms imports. The government presented a full-scale model of the AMCA for the first time at Aero India 2025, with initial deliveries optimistically scheduled for 2034. However, challenges remain regarding India’s ability to complete the project within the announced timeframe. The development of a stealth fighter requires advanced expertise in aerodynamics, engines, avionics and stealth. At present, India has not yet mastered all the necessary technologies, particularly with regard to engines and active antenna radars (AESA).
The main obstacle to the MCAA program is the engine. India currently uses foreign engines for its combat aircraft, such as the GE F404 and the F414 for the Tejas. For the AMCA, an indigenous engine is being developed under the name GTX-35VS Kaveri, but this has shown limitations in terms of thrust and reliability. India may have to collaborate with foreign companies, notably Safran (France), Rolls-Royce (UK) or General Electric (USA), to finalize the engine for the future aircraft.
Another challenge concerns the integration of sensors and electronic warfare systems required for a fifth-generation fighter. The MCAA will need to be equipped with AESA radars, an advanced sensor fusion system and state-of-the-art electronic warfare capabilities, comparable to those of the F-35 and Su-57.
Finally, the cost of the program is a key consideration. The development of a stealth fighter represents a considerable investment, often estimated at several billion euros. By way of comparison, the F-35 program cost the United States over $400 billion. India will need to mobilize significant resources to bring this project to fruition without affecting its other strategic priorities.
The dynamics of the Indian arms market
India is the world’s leading arms importer between 2008 and 2023, accounting for 10% of global imports. This market is dominated by Russia, France and the United States, but has seen some notable developments in recent years.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2019 and 2023, 36% of Indian arms imports came from Russia, but this share has fallen by 34% compared with the period 2014-2018. France, with the sale of Rafales and Scorpene submarines, is now India’s second-largest supplier, accounting for 11% of imports, while the United States accounts for 10%.
The trend in India’s arms purchases reflects a strategy of diversification to avoid excessive dependence on a single supplier. The war in Ukraine has also highlighted certain vulnerabilities in the Russian defense industry, affected by Western sanctions and production difficulties.
India is also investing heavily in its own defense industry, with the aim of producing 70% of its military equipment needs by 2030. The government has increased its defense budget by 9.53% for the fiscal year 2025-2026, taking it to $78.3 billion.
This dynamic partly explains India’s caution in acquiring new foreign fighters. Buying the Su-57E or the F-35A could hamper the development of the MCAA and increase dependence on foreign suppliers.
The geopolitical implications of India’s choice
India’s choice of the future fifth-generation fighter will have consequences for its strategic alliances.
If India opts for the Su-57E, this would confirm the maintenance of strong ties with Russia, but could accentuate mistrust of the USA and the West, limiting access to certain critical technologies.
Conversely, acquiring the F-35A would strengthen India’s strategic partnership with the U.S. and facilitate its integration into Western defense initiatives, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, which brings together India, the U.S., Australia and Japan in a strategy to contain the rise of China.
However, accepting the F-35 would pose constraints on compatibility with Russian weapons systems already present in India, notably the S-400 Triumph, a sophisticated air defense system purchased from Russia. The United States has already sanctioned certain countries, such as Turkey, for simultaneously acquiring S-400s and F-35s, citing the risk of technological leakage.
A third option would be for India to remain independent, relying exclusively on MCAA development and adopting a mixed approach by modernizing its existing fleet with transitional fighters, such as additional Rafales or upgraded Su-30MKIs.
Future prospects and decisions
India needs to make a strategic decision, balancing operational requirements, costs, industrial independence and geopolitical alliances.
The immediate need to bolster the air fleet in the face of China’s growing power and the J-20 Chengdu is pushing for a rapid purchase. However, integrating a foreign fifth-generation fighter could affect India’s industrial independence and complicate the existing military infrastructure.
The preferred option seems to be a compromise between modernization of the current fleet, a limited purchase of a fifth-generation fighter and increased investment in the MCAA program.
The outcome will depend on ongoing negotiations between Delhi, Washington and Moscow, but also on India’s industrial capacity to produce a competitive fifth-generation fighter by 2034.
War Wings Daily is an independant magazine.