However, New Delhi has yet to decide on acquiring two to three squadrons of the Russian fifth-generation Sukhoi-57 fighter jets, which Moscow is actively promoting against the US F-35 Lightning-II. Top sources told TOI that discussions on these advanced stealth jets remain at the exploratory stage.
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“There is a case for IAF to induct two-three squadrons of fifth-generation fighters as a stopgap measure till the indigenous stealth AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft) becomes ready for induction by 2035 or so. But no decision has been made on the Sukhoi-57, F-35 or any other choice,” a source said.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, is poised to approve a Rs 63,000 crore upgrade of the first 84 Sukhoi-30MKI jets — part of the IAF’s fleet of 259 Russian-origin fighters.
The upgrade package includes advanced radars, avionics, longer-range weapons, and multi-sensor fusion, ensuring these jets remain combat-capable for another 30 years. “While the upgrade will be carried out indigenously, Russia will have some role in it,” another source said.India has long sought a delicate balance between its traditional defence partner Russia and the increasingly transactional United States, which under the Trump administration has sought to penalise countries for Russian arms and oil purchases.Several major deals with the US are also in progress. Following a $1 billion (Rs 8,900 crore) contract with General Electric for 113 additional GE-F404 engines for Tejas Mark-1A fighters earlier this month, the CCS cleared a Rs 7,000 crore “follow-on support package” for 24 American MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, already being inducted by the Navy for Rs 15,157 crore.
On the Russian front, Moscow has reassured India it will deliver the remaining two of the five original S-400 squadrons, ordered for $5.4 billion (Rs 40,000 crore) in 2018, by November 2026 — a delay caused by the Ukraine war.
The Defence Ministry has also approved a Rs 10,000 crore procurement of a large number of S-400 missiles, with interception ranges of 120, 200, 250, and 380 km, to replenish stocks used in hostilities with Pakistan and build reserves.
“While IAF has asked for five more S-400 squadrons, defence ministry has already approved a comprehensive annual maintenance contract for the systems. Russia will set up an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) facility in India for them,” the source added.
Highlighting the S-400’s operational impact, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh recently described the system as a “gamechanger” during Operation Sindoor, noting that it had shot down “at least five high-tech Pakistani fighters in the F-16 and JF-17-class” in the “longest kill ever achieved” at a distance of 314 km.
With inputs from TOI
