India buying US F‑35 or Russian Su‑57? Defence Secretary RK Singh reveals India's big plan for stealth fighter jet
India is not in any formal talks with the United States or Russia for acquiring fifth-generation stealth fighters like the F-35A or Su-57E, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh clarified on Friday. Instead, the country is focusing on developing its own fifth-generation aircraft—the
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
(AMCA)—with an estimated timeline of eight years.
No formal talks on F-35A or Su-57E: Defence Secy
'On F-35A and Sukhoi Su-57 E, whatever has been discussed has been informal. We don't have any formal consultation going on on these,' Singh told ANI in a podcast. He added that the focus is on indigenous capability: 'What I can talk about is our fifth-generation fighter, which will be the AMCA.'
AMCA project opens to private firms
For the first time, India has opened the AMCA programme to private aerospace companies. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) released a Request for Information (RFI) on Thursday, inviting bids from both public and private sector players.
'We've kept it open for the public and private sectors for the first time. The intent is that we need to have at least two aircraft manufacturers in the country, if not more,' Singh said. 'For the AMCA, the timeline is about eight years.'
Execution model offers equal opportunity
The AMCA programme will follow a competitive Execution Model approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh last month. It allows Indian companies to bid individually, through joint ventures or as consortiums. The model aims to create a level playing field across the defence aviation industry.
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HAL will benefit from competition, says Singh
While HAL remains the only established military aircraft manufacturer in the country, Singh said competition would ultimately help the public-sector giant. 'There was a committee headed by me… that gave the report we need to open it up… HAL will also gain from healthy competition,' he said.
He acknowledged HAL's existing limitations: 'The LCA production line has not stabilised, largely because of delays in engine supplies from the US… But they already have six years of orders with them.'
Decline in reliance on Russian defence supplies
Singh also said India's dependence on Russian equipment has reduced over the years. 'The percentage would have come down… maybe 40 per cent or so, from about 65–70 per cent earlier,' he said.
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However, global conflicts have disrupted defence imports from multiple partners, including Russia, Israel, France, and the United States. 'The S-400s… are delayed, but where we now have a firm schedule; they'll come next year by April,' Singh noted. He also said some Israeli contracts faced delays due to the country's ongoing conflict.
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