PAF vs IAF - Fifth Generation Fighter Race

Pakistan is set to acquire the advanced Fifth Generation Fighters soon. PAF has already begun training its pilots for this. Read below.

Pakistan’s local News channel reported that Pakistan has approved the acquisition 5th gen J-35 stealth fighters from China, with deliveries expected within the next 24 months. J-35 is expected to fill critical capability gaps within PAF.

Currently, only Israel has the 5th gen jets in the region - Middle East & South Asia. Pak could be the 2nd country to operate such advanced fighters in the region, and 1st country in South Asia, before India.

India's AMCA is expected to touch the skies with its first flight in the year 2027, if no major hurdles occur. IAF and Govt of India should work on accelerating the development and induction of AMCA, to counter the PAF.

AMCA's production and induction into IAF will start from year 2032. While PAF will induct J-35s by 2027-28. So PAF will get 5th gen jets 4-5 years earlier than IAF.

This will have many tactical and strategic implication on IAF such as the shift in regional balance of power, loss of air superiority to PAF. IAF will have increased pressure on Modernization efforts and might have to consider procurement of other 5th Gen jets like F-35 or Su-57 as a stopgap. But with the sad state of procurement of Fighter jets in India, as witnessed under MRFA deal, the option to buy few squadrons of SU-57 or F-35 is also challenging.

India's options & the road ahead.

India's options to counter Pak's acquisition of J-35 Fifth generation jets:

1. Fastrack development of AMCA, our own 5th generation jet. Avoid Tejas like Saga of delays and imported parts. Need to invest on Kaveri & indigenous 110KN jet engine program simultaneously.
2. Settle for 114 4.5th Generation jets under MRFA deal, most likely Rafale jets from France.
3. Buy 2-3 squadrons of SU-57/F-35 and reduce number of jets to be purchased in MRFA.
4. Scrap MRFA and buy 114 SU-57 or F-35 instead. (Unlikely)
5. If Option 4 is chosen, IAF for its 4.5th gen requirement should order more numbers of Tejas Mk2 and if possible should also consider procurement of ORCA, the land based version of Navy's TEDBF.
Note: US has not offered F-35 jets to India yet.

Other options include, the IAF can develop advanced Electronic Warfare systems to counter the PAF's 5th Gen jets. The development and induction of HAL CATS systems for autonomous and unmanned systems will also enhance our combat capabilities. Participation in International exercises such as Red Flag, where other 5th Gen operating countries paticipate, IAF can learn from such countries and formulate new tactics.

Sources: Wikipedia.

Image credits: Shutterstock, Chanakya Forum, BigStock.