Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 10:25am on 04 Mar 2025,Tuesday Defence
India faces a critical decision in modernizing its air force. The US has offered F-35 fighter jets, but high costs and maintenance concerns make them challenging. Meanwhile, Russia’s Su-57 remains an option, despite past disagreements. India aims for self-reliance, prioritizing the homegrown Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Tejas jets. The Indian Air Force struggles with delays, funding issues, and shrinking squadron strength. Experts suggest India will neither buy the F-35 nor the Su-57 but focus on domestic production to bridge the gap. The future of India’s airpower depends on timely execution of indigenous fighter jet programs.
