India’s Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has described Pakistan’s reported plan to acquire China’s fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter as a “cause for worry”, while saying that the Indian Air Force (IAF) needs to induct up to 40 fighter jets annually as its squadron strength remains below the sanctioned level.
Speaking to the media ahead of India’s Air Force Day on October 8, Singh said that the IAF currently has 29 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42 and needs to induct 36 to 40 aircraft annually to prevent the number from falling further and move towards its sanctioned strength.
Singh stated that the reported acquisition of J-35 fighters by Pakistan is a concern but rejected the suggestion that the aircraft would leave India without options to counter the threat.
“Is it a no-go situation? I wouldn’t agree with that. We possess the necessary capabilities. It is not just about a single platform, but about how it is integrated into the entire system,” he said.
Singh also stressed the need to accelerate the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, India’s planned indigenous fifth-generation fighter and said that alternative decisions may be needed if the programme faces delays.
Singh also highlighted efforts to strengthen the IAF’s beyond-visual-range combat capability through the Astra missile programme and longer-range foreign systems.
The IAF is also seeking additional batches of longer-range missiles from foreign sources. Singh said that the force is increasing its use of drones and loitering munitions but does not need a separate drone force.
