IAF chief flags Pakistan-China fifth-generation fighter collaboration, says India must catch up fast

Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Saturday that Pakistan’s collaboration with China to build fifth-generation fighter jets is a “cause for concern” for India, and that India must induct fifth-generation aircraft quickly.

Addressing his annual press conference in New Delhi on the eve of Air Force Day, Singh said the IAF could ward off the threat “for the time being”, but stressed that integration mattered more than any single platform. “It is not that one platform matters so much. It is the integration of that platform into your system. Just as Pakistan had other platforms, when we carried out Operation Sindoor, they could not do much with them,” he said.

Singh said India must push the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme — but left the door open to foreign options. “If there are delays in the AMCA fifth-generation fighter programme, we may have to look at other options. Russia has offered the Su-57, but no decision has been taken yet,” he said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also offered joint production of the Su-57 in India.

The IAF currently operates 29 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42, and needs to induct 36 to 40 aircraft every year to stop the strength falling further. Singh said the multirole fighter acquisition of 114 Rafale jets could be finalised in the current financial year, with most manufactured in India.

Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh had said last week that India remained committed to the AMCA, with the first prototype expected in 2028. Singh also said the IAF must become an “AI-augmented force”, and separately praised flydubai captain Smit Machchhar as “exceptionally brave” for his actions in the cockpit attack.

Sources

• The Times of India — “IAF chief hints at ‘foreign options’ for 5th-gen jets, flags Pakistan-China tie-up” (opened, verified; PTI quotes)
• The Times of India — “AMCA, Rafale and drones: IAF chief lays out India’s air power roadmap” (opened, verified; PTI/ANI)
• Times Now — “‘Russia Has Offered Su-57, But No Decision Yet’” (opened, verified; updated Oct 3, 14:25 IST)

Fact-check (verified vs opened/named sources)

1. Annual press conference, Saturday, New Delhi, on eve of Air Force Day — TOI x2 (opened); Times Now — PASS
2. Pak-China fifth-gen collaboration “cause for concern” / “cause for worry, no doubt” — TOI quote (opened) — PASS
3. Can ward off threat “for the time being”; integration-over-platform quote; Operation Sindoor reference — TOI (opened) — PASS
4. “If there are delays in the AMCA… we need to take some other decisions”; “may have to look at other options” — TOI (opened); Times Now — PASS
5. Russia offered Su-57, no decision taken; Putin offered joint production in India — TOI (opened); Times Now — PASS
6. 29 squadrons vs authorised 42; needs 36–40 aircraft/year — TOI x2 (opened); Times Now (36–40, ~2 squadrons/year, 18–20 jets each) — PASS
7. 114 Rafale multirole acquisition, majority manufactured in India, deal may finalise this financial year — TOI roadmap (opened) — PASS
8. Def secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh last week: committed to AMCA, no foreign fifth-gen decision; ADA industry-proposal deadline extended to Oct 30, bids opened Oct 31; first prototype 2028 — TOI (opened) — PASS
9. “AI-augmented force”; drones “evolutionary, not revolutionary”; no separate drone force — TOI roadmap (opened) — PASS
10. Singh praised flydubai captain Smit Machchhar “exceptionally brave… lesson for us” — TOI roadmap (opened) — PASS