The Indian Government has not taken any decision on acquiring Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026.

His remarks come as India faces a widening gap with China in fifth-generation combat aircraft. China is believed to operate approximately 500 radar-evading J-20 and J-35 fighters, while the Indian Air Force currently has no stealth fighter in service.

India’s indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is still under development. The first prototype is expected to fly in September 2028, although the aircraft would enter operational service only after integration, flight testing and certification.

“On the induction of fifth-generation fighter aircraft from global sources, the Government has not taken a decision as yet,” Singh said.

He added that AMCA remains India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft program for now, while leaving open the possibility of considering foreign options.

Russia has been pressing India to acquire the Su-57, including its export variant, the Su-57E. The fighter was showcased at Aero India in February 2025, where it attracted considerable attention as Moscow’s most advanced operational combat aircraft.

Moscow has offered India several cooperation options, including direct acquisition, licensed production and extensive technology transfer. Russian proposals have reportedly included local manufacturing and access to technologies associated with the aircraft’s engines, radar, electronic warfare systems, avionics, mission software and low-observable features.

The offer is being positioned as a possible interim solution until AMCA becomes available. However, New Delhi has yet to formally select any foreign fifth-generation fighter.

Singh also stressed that the TEJAS fighter remains relevant despite not having the low-observable characteristics of the Chinese J-20 and J-35.

He pointed to the growing importance of integrated sensors, data fusion, command networks and artificial intelligence in modern air combat.

“We have a very good network available — the IACCS, which is also getting combined with the Army’s network and with our air defence network,” Singh said.

He said an artificial intelligence layer could be added to these networks to improve the effectiveness of India’s 4.5-generation fighters.

The Indian Air Force’s Integrated Air Command and Control System, or IACCS, links radars, sensors, air-defence units, command centres and fighter aircraft. It is designed to create a common, real-time picture of the airspace and help commanders detect threats, assign targets and direct weapons or aircraft.

According to Singh, such a network cannot give TEJAS the physical stealth features of the J-20 or J-35. However, it could improve situational awareness, target acquisition, threat avoidance and the overall effectiveness of non-stealth fighters.

He said India would have to pursue multiple technological solutions while dealing with the country’s current fifth-generation capability gap.

The approach reflects an attempt to use networking, sensors and software to improve the survivability and combat performance of existing aircraft while India develops AMCA.

However, artificial intelligence and networked warfare cannot completely reproduce the advantages of a stealth aircraft. Low radar visibility allows a fighter to detect and engage threats while reducing the distance at which it can be detected by enemy sensors.

India’s urgency has increased because Pakistan has signed an initial agreement to acquire Chinese J-35 stealth fighters. China is also flight-testing its next-generation J-36, potentially widening the technological gap further.

The AMCA schedule is therefore critical. The first prototype is expected to fly in September 2028, but a successful first flight would be followed by a lengthy test and certification process before operational induction.

The Government must now balance three competing priorities: accelerating AMCA, strengthening the IACCS-led sensor network and deciding whether an interim foreign stealth fighter is required.

For the moment, Russia’s Su-57 offer remains under consideration but is not an approved acquisition. India appears to be relying on an AI-enabled network to extract greater capability from its 4.5-generation fighters while waiting for AMCA to move from the design stage to operational service.

Agencies