Archive · 3 Oct 2026
IAF Chief Urges Faster AMCA as China-Pakistan Fighter Concerns Grow
India's air force chief spoke about new fighter planes being developed by China and possibly acquired by Pakistan.
He said this cooperation is a concern, but he believes India has ways to respond.
He explained that a plane's effectiveness also depends on how it works with the rest of a country's military systems.
He said Pakistan's earlier aircraft did not achieve significant results during Operation Sindoor.
Singh wants India to move faster on its own advanced fighter, called AMCA.
If that project is delayed, India may need to consider another option, such as Russia's Su-57.
He said India has not decided whether to take Russia's offer.
The IAF operates around 30 fighter squadrons, below its authorised strength of about 42.
Some older aircraft are nearing retirement, and maintaining them is costly and difficult.
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh said India has capabilities to counter the threat from China's fifth-generation aircraft.
Singh called Pakistan-China cooperation on fifth-generation fighters a concern but said system integration affects how effective the aircraft will be.
He said Pakistan's previous platforms achieved no significant results against India during Operation Sindoor.
Singh urged faster progress and early induction of India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
If AMCA is delayed, India may consider alternatives including Russia's Su-57; Singh said no decision has been made.
- Who
- Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh.
- What
- Singh discussed the perceived China-Pakistan fifth-generation fighter threat, India's capabilities, and the need to accelerate AMCA.
- When
- The articles give conflicting dates: Saturday, October 03, and Saturday, September 3; neither specifies a year.
- Where
- New Delhi, India.
- Why
- Singh called for faster induction of India's next-generation aircraft amid emerging fighter threats and the IAF's reported fleet shortfall.
Threat and urgency
Capability and integration
Pakistan-China fighter cooperation
Threat and urgency
Singh called reports of cooperation and a possible Pakistani acquisition a cause for concern.
Capability and integration
Singh said it was not an unavoidable threat, arguing that India has the necessary capabilities and that aircraft effectiveness depends on system integration.
India's response if AMCA is delayed
Threat and urgency
Singh said delays could require alternative decisions, and the earlier report identified Russia's Su-57 as a possible option amid fleet pressures.
Capability and integration
Singh called for pushing forward India's indigenous AMCA programme; the articles state that no decision has been made on Russia's offer.
- IAF fighter squadrons
- Around 30 in operation.
- Authorised squadron strength
- About 42.
- Indigenous fighter programme
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA); Singh called for it to be pushed forward.
- Possible alternative
- Russia has offered the Su-57; Singh said no decision has been made.
- Singh's assessment
- India has the necessary capabilities; he said effectiveness depends partly on integration into wider systems.
- Operation Sindoor
- Singh said Pakistan's previous platforms did not achieve anything significant against India during the operation.
- Fleet pressures
- The articles say some aircraft are approaching retirement and older platforms are costly and difficult to maintain.
