In this interview with the Editor of BharatShakti Brig S K Chatterji (Retd), Air Commodore S P Singh (Retd), a seasoned aviator with over 3,000 hours of flying experience and currently associated with the Centre for Air Power Studies, shares his perspectives on India’s push for a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).
When asked about the defining characteristics of each generation of fighter aircraft, Cmde Singh explains that while parameters may vary across air forces, they remain largely comparable. He highlights stealth as the most prominent feature distinguishing FGFAs from their predecessors, necessitating design modifications such as internal weapon bays to minimise radar signature.
Discussing India’s urgency in acquiring a FGFA, he points to the growing strength of China’s J-20 fleet—estimated at around 200 aircraft—and its willingness to supply Pakistan with 40 such aircraft. Additionally, he notes that Pakistan’s JF-17, developed with Chinese collaboration, is already equipped with advanced air-to-air missiles. Given the combined capabilities of China and Pakistan, Cmde Singh argues that India cannot afford to delay its response.
He outlines the Indian Air Force’s ongoing efforts to modernize its fleet, including the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk 1A aircraft, with an additional 97 planned. He also discusses the Request for Information (RFI) issued for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), with contenders such as the Rafale, F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15EX, Eurofighter Typhoon, and Gripen in the fray.
However, with the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project still a decade away, Cmde Singh addresses the interim options under consideration. He weighs the pros and cons of acquiring the Russian Su-57 versus the American F-35, pointing out that while the F-35 offers cutting-edge capabilities, its exorbitant cost—nearly a billion dollars per unit—along with the lack of technology transfer makes it a challenging choice for India.
Ultimately, Cmde Singh emphasises that India’s long-term objective should be to develop its own fifth-generation fighter under the AMCA initiative, leveraging its existing expertise with Russian platforms like the Su-30s, which currently form the backbone of the IAF.
