In Indian defense circles, the recent Aero India 2025 Air Show, which took place at Bengaluru’s Yelahanka Air Force Station from February 10 to 14, has generated heated debates about stealth fighter capabilities. Russia’s Su-57 and the U.S. Air Force’s F-35 shared a platform for the first time during this event, offering a rare chance to compare Eastern and Western military systems.
Stealth fighters are designed to evade radar detection, significantly altering the dynamics of modern air combat. The Indian Air Force (IAF) currently operates advanced aircraft like the Rafale jets but lacks a fifth-generation stealth fighter. The AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program is India’s response to this gap, aiming to develop a twin-engine fighter with advanced stealth features.The AMCA is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with the goal of improving India’s air warfare capabilities. This aircraft will use technology that support India’s objective of being self-sufficient in defense manufacture and is built to carry out a variety of missions, such as air superiority and ground strike.
With notable advancements recently announced, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project is moving forward at a steady pace. The full-scale engineering development phase started in April 2024 after receiving approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024, according to project director Dr. Krishna Rajendra Neeli. This is an important milestone in India’s goal to develop its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, which should greatly improve the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities.
In a recent statement, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) reiterated its support for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project and emphasized that any delays or cost overruns should be brought to its attention directly rather than through the Ministry of Defense. This decision demonstrates the government’s intention to accelerate the AMCA project and put it into “mission mode” and marks a substantial change in oversight, as the CCS is the highest security authority in the Indian cabinet.
An indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet that is anticipated to be substantially less expensive than comparable aircraft from other nations is the goal of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. According to defense experts, the AMCA’s base cost, omitting extra costs for things like weapon packages, upkeep, and upgrades,
The internal weapons bay (IWB) of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is the primary means by which it achieves its stealth qualities. Because external weapons usually enhance exposure to opposing radar systems, this capability enables the AMCA to carry a variety of munitions without impairing its radar signature. In other fighter jets, weapons are hanging on their wing, fuselage, and sometimes the wingtip hardpoints. The AMCA is expected to carry BrahMos-NG, air-to-ground missiles, Astra air-to-air missiles, anti-tank missiles and the Rudram-M2 anti-radiation missiles, laser-guided bombs and precision munitions.
Aero India 2025’s display of the F-35 and Su-57 has highlighted how urgent it is for the IAF to update its fleet. Despite being displayed, observers pointed out that these cutting-edge fighters might not be able to fully satisfy India’s needs because of a number of limitations. In addition to stressing the importance of making prompt choices about the purchase of new fighters, the Indian Ministry of Defence also noted that this event offered insightful information about the capabilities of these aircraft.
Given the possibility of acquiring the F-35 fighter jet from the United States, India’s air force modernization ambitions are currently at a crossroads. India’s defence strategy would be significantly impacted by this decision, particularly as it weighs the costs and effects on domestic programmes against the demand for cutting-edge capabilities.
The cost of purchasing 114 F-35s is estimated to be approximately $100 billion for India, making it one of the priciest military aircraft. Each F-35A model has a flyaway cost of about $82.5 million, but when other costs and export prices are taken into account, this might increase to $100–110 million. Given that India has committed ₹15,000 crore to developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), this financial load calls into question the viability of such an investment.
Choosing the F-35 might put a stop to India’s domestic development of stealth fighters. Reliance on foreign technology could impede the AMCA project’s goal of developing a domestic solution to fulfill India’s defense needs and increasing reliance on American military hardware. It is anticipated that the AMCA will be functioning.
With only 31 squadrons now in operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operates well below its authorized strength of 42. Due to this deficiency, new aircraft must be purchased immediately in order to keep up with regional rivals, especially China. In this situation, the F-35 might offer unparalleled first-strike capability and cutting-edge stealth technologies.
As tensions in the Indo-Pacific area rise, the United States has shown a great interest in selling the F-35 to India as part of a larger plan to improve military cooperation. The operational integration of F-35s may be made more difficult by India’s current defense connections with Russia, especially with regard to the S-400 missile system. Because of possible threats to the F-35’s stealth capabilities, the United States has historically opposed nations that use both systems.
While India faces a critical decision regarding its air force modernisation amid rising regional tensions and a shortfall in fighter jet squadrons, the U.S. has proposed selling the F-35 Lightning-II stealth fighter to India at approximately $80 million (₹695 crore) per jet, but this offer comes with significant concerns about high lifecycle and maintenance costs, which have made Indian Air Force (IAF) officials cautious about proceeding with the deal.
The F-35 is designed for integration within NATO frameworks, which raises questions about its compatibility with India’s existing diverse fleet of aircraft, primarily composed of Russian and French models. This incompatibility could limit the effectiveness of the F-35 in India’s operational context.
While the upfront cost of the F-35 is appealing, experts highlight that its operational costs could be significantly higher over its lifecycle compared to other options like the AMCA or Su-57.
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) air marshal has expressed significant scepticism regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to sell F-35 fighter jets to India, labelling it a potential “trap.” The air marshal warned that committing to the F-35s could lead to increased costs for India’s own indigenous fighter jet development. Specifically, he noted that if India purchases fewer indigenous aircraft, the costs associated with their development would be spread over a smaller production volume, thereby making each unit significantly more expensive.
India is currently facing a critical decision in its defence procurement strategy as it seeks to modernise its air force amidst rising tensions in the region and a shortfall in its operational squadrons, which have decreased to 31 from an approved strength of 42. Trump’s proposal includes not only the F-35 but also a broader increase in military sales to India, which he claims would elevate India into an elite group of nations that can acquire such advanced technology. However, the deal has drawn criticism due to the high costs associated with the F-35, estimated at around $80 million per unit, along with substantial maintenance expenses.
Acquiring the F-35 may draw India closer into the U.S. defence sphere, potentially impacting its strategic autonomy and relationships
Rajesh Kumar Singh, India’s defense secretary, has explained that the offer made by US President Donald Trump for the F-35 fighter fighters is “not an offer yet.” Singh emphasized that although Trump provided a timeline for the F-35’s availability, India will only take the proposal into consideration until it is formally
