F-35 vs Su-57 Debate Heats Up as MiG-21s Retire: IAF Eyes Fifth-Gen Fighters Amid AMCA Delays
With the MiG-21 fleet retiring, the Indian Air Force is considering procuring 40–60 foreign fifth-generation jets such as the F-35 or Su‑57. While veterans caution against import dependency, India's Make-in-India initiative gears up to manufacture 114 fighters domestically.
NewsSutra
As India officially begins phasing out its aging MiG-21 fleet after decades of service, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is now at a pivotal moment. With the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) still years from production readiness, the IAF may be compelled to bridge the capability gap with 40 to 60 foreign fifth-generation fighters. The primary contenders? The American Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the Russian Sukhoi Su‑57 Felon.
This shift has ignited a fierce debate among defence analysts, retired IAF veterans, and policymakers — should India place another significant defence bet on imports or double down on 'Make in India', which promises to build 114 fighter jets indigenously?
The MiG-21 Retirement: End of an Era
The MiG-21, once considered the backbone of India's air combat strength, has long outlived its operational relevance. Originally inducted in the 1960s, the fighter has served the IAF for over five decades. Despite several upgrades, the aircraft has suffered numerous crashes, raising questions about its airworthiness.
The final MiG-21 squadrons are now being decommissioned, creating a vacuum that the IAF cannot afford — especially at a time when both China and Pakistan are expanding and modernising their aerial capabilities.
AMCA: Indigenous, But Not Immediate
The AMCA, India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter program developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with HAL, is progressing — but at a measured pace. Though the government has granted approvals for its development, production is unlikely to begin before 2032, according to multiple defence sources.
The stealth-capable AMCA promises advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and reduced radar cross-section. But the IAF’s urgent need for combat-ready aircraft within the next five to seven years means it cannot rely on the AMCA program alone for immediate force readiness.
F-35 Lightning II: Cutting-Edge but Complicated
The F-35, built by Lockheed Martin, is widely considered the most advanced multi-role stealth fighter currently in service. Featuring sensor fusion, stealth technology, and networked warfare capabilities, the F-35 offers unmatched situational awareness and lethality.
Its potential induction into the IAF would significantly raise India’s combat edge, especially against China's J-20 Mighty Dragon. However, there are concerns:
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Cost: Each F-35 costs upwards of $80 million (approx ₹670 crore), excluding lifecycle and maintenance.
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Strategic Dependence: Relying on the U.S. for spares and support could restrict operational autonomy, especially during politically sensitive situations.
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Technology Transfer: Washington has historically been hesitant to allow deep technology transfer, a key requirement for India’s defence doctrine.
High-ranking officials and defence analysts, including from The Centre for Air Power Studies, have warned that dependence on Western systems must be weighed against India’s long-term strategic autonomy goals.
Su‑57 Felon: An Evolving Contender
Russia’s Su‑57, developed by Sukhoi, offers an attractive alternative. Though it had a slower and rockier development compared to the F-35, the Su‑57 is now in serial production and has begun entering Russian service.
From a tactical standpoint, the Su‑57 boasts super-maneuverability, hypersonic missile compatibility, and long-range detection systems. Moreover, Russia is far more amenable to technology transfers and joint production, a key reason why India has partnered with Russia in past projects like the BrahMos missile.
Yet, critics point out:
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The Su‑57 is still maturing operationally.
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Questions persist over stealth effectiveness and battlefield survivability.
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India had previously pulled out of the FGFA (Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft) program, a joint venture based on the Su‑57, citing lack of transparency and technological gaps.
According to an in-depth analysis by IDSA – Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, the Su‑57 could still be viable if reconfigured with India-specific upgrades.
Strategic Veterans Sound a Note of Caution
A growing section of retired IAF officers and defence strategists are warning against an over-reliance on imported fifth-gen fighters. Air Marshal Raghunath Nambiar (Retd.), former Commander-in-Chief of the Western Air Command, stated in a recent webinar:
“While immediate requirements must be met, flooding the force with foreign fighters erodes our long-term ability to innovate, build, and dominate future aerial warfare.”
These concerns are echoed by experts from ORF – Observer Research Foundation, who argue that heavy imports could hamper AMCA’s eventual deployment, both in funding and manpower allocation.
Make-in-India: The 114 Fighter Aircraft Plan
The government’s Make-in-India defence initiative remains central to India’s aerospace ambitions. One of the flagship projects under this umbrella is the acquisition of 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) through strategic partnership (SP) model — with an emphasis on local manufacturing and assembly.
Contenders for the MRFA include:
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Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet
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Dassault Rafale
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SAAB Gripen E
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Eurofighter Typhoon
Unlike the stealth-focused fifth-gen debate, the MRFA is aimed at replenishing IAF’s fourth-generation backbone with combat-tested fighters produced in India under technology transfer agreements.
As per PIB Defence Updates, the tender is expected to be released officially in late 2025, and it could become the single-largest fighter acquisition program in India’s history.
Cost vs Capability: A Delicate Balance
When viewed through the lens of long-term national security, the balancing act is intricate:
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Short-Term Need: Fifth-generation imports (F-35 or Su‑57) to replace MiG-21s.
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Medium-Term Capability: MRFA program to augment IAF’s fourth-gen force.
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Long-Term Vision: Indigenous AMCA with full-scale domestic production and strategic independence.
India’s strategy must therefore be tiered — ensuring that foreign procurements serve as gap-fillers, not long-term dependencies.
Final Word: Pragmatism Must Prevail
The F-35 vs Su‑57 debate is more than just a question of air superiority — it is about India's larger defence posture, strategic autonomy, and industrial capability. While bridging the MiG-21 void is necessary, defence planners must ensure that imports remain strategic stopgaps, not structural crutches.
To quote defence analyst Ajai Shukla, writing for Business Standard:
“India must not allow fifth-gen imports to derail AMCA or MRFA. Technology transfer, local job creation, and production capability are non-negotiables in India’s future.”
As the skies above the subcontinent grow more competitive, the IAF must fly not only with imported might but also with homegrown wings.
