Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots have begun training on the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon (formerly known as J-31) fighter aircraft in China, Pakistan media is claiming. The media says it could soon be operating the 5th-gen fighters after undergoing training.
In contrast, the delivery of India’s indigenous fighter jet, Light Combat Aircraft LCA MK1A, has been pushed back by a few months. If Indian defense officials are not proactive, they might end up ‘panic buying’ more Rafale fighter jets.
The delay in deliveries of the LCA Mk1A, the advanced variant of LCA ‘Tejas,’ prompted the Vice Chief of the IAF Air Marshal AP Singh to caution that ‘Atma Nirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defense cannot be at the cost of national security.
India has an ambitious lineup of fighter jets. After LCA Mk1A and Mk2, the government has given a nod for the development of the indigenous 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
oth of India’s neighbors are already way ahead in their quest for 5th-generation fighters. China has started deploying its 5th-generation fighter jet J-20 ‘Mighty Dragon’ on its border with India. Pakistan is negotiating with Turkey to get into its 5th-generation fighter jet development program and to buy FC-31 combat jets from China.
IAF experts feel that given the security situation in the country’s neighborhood – its simmering ties with China and Pakistan and the recent coup in Bangladesh calls for some “hard decisions” from India.
“India needs to make some hard decisions. LCA Mk1A has been delayed. The production of the aircraft is reliant on the supply of engines by General Electric of the USA. Delays can also be foreseen in the delivery of radars from Israel owing to the ongoing war. The delay in LCA Mk 1A is likely to have a snowballing effect on the LCA Mk2 and AMCA,” former IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Anil Khosla (retired) told the EurAsian Times.
IAF’s Quest For New Fighter Jets
The IAF, grappling with dwindling fighter squadrons and an aging fleet, has been making a case for the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA), seen as the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) deal re-incarnated.
Despite the IAF pushing hard for it, the Indian government, emphasizing “Made in India,” has not budged about purchasing 114 fighter jets from foreign manufacturers at an estimated US$20 billion.
Khosla suggests another two squadrons of Rafale fighter jets are required for the IAF to maintain its combat edge in the region. “Not panic buying, but it is a necessity. A minimum of two more squadrons of Rafale fighter jets are needed immediately, and then the situation can be reviewed subsequently,” Air Marshal Khosla adds. The IAF’s requirement for the 114 MRFA is urgent to maintain a combative edge. Rafale has the advantage that the country’s air force is already operating the aircraft, and the navy will soon be inducting it.
