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India fighter procurement debate

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2026-08-05 03:55 UTC → 2026-08-07 03:00 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late July 2026 the Indian defence ministry said the IAF would not seek additional Russian fifth‑generation fighters such as the Su‑57, opting to speed up the indigenous AMCA programme with five prototypes slated for 2027 and service entry in the mid‑2030s. Within days officials were reported to be re‑examining a short‑term purchase of 80‑100 Su‑57 jets as a stop‑gap amid possible U.S. sanctions on Russian arms and Chinese fifth‑generation deployments. By early ~~August,~~ August Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that India had formally rejected Russia’s offer to sell the Su‑57E, preferring instead to upgrade the existing Su‑30MKI fleet and continue development of the AMCA. The decision also dismissed proposals for licensed production or technology transfer of the Su‑57E. India placed an order for 12 additional Su‑30MKIs worth about 135 billion rupees, underscoring its commitment to modernise its current inventory while the indigenous stealth fighter progresses. The August statement referenced the collapse of the earlier FGFA joint‑development project in 2018 and noted that Algeria remains the only confirmed Su‑57E export customer. Officials said the rejection aims to reduce reliance on foreign equipment, bolster the domestic defence industry and allocate resources to the AMCA, whose first prototype is expected in 2027 and entry into service in the early 2030s.

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