India is now beginning to debate its strategy for modernizing the Indian Air Force's fighter jets. Indian media reports that, against the backdrop of rising international tensions, the Indian Air Force currently has only 31 fighter squadrons, rather than the planned 42, and therefore the Indian government is seeking quick ways to fill the fighter gap. One approach being seriously considered is India's consideration of urgently purchasing 140 Su-57E fighters from Russia.
However, there are many people in India who oppose the purchase of Su-57E from Russia, arguing that military technology cooperation with Russia, which is under Western sanctions, may bring negative consequences to India. Moreover, the production of the Russian Su-57 is too low - as of mid-year this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces have received only about 20 Su-57s, and it is reported that the AL-41F1 turbofan engines used in the Su-57 have poor reliability.
IDRW, an Indian media outlet, said that the Indian Air Force "strongly supports" a compromise solution: while continuing to purchase French Rafale aircraft, India will directly purchase 40-60 Su-57E aircraft from Russia by 2028, without large-scale domesticization. Instead, India plans to mass-produce advanced domestically-made AMCA fighters. IDRW believes that the final plan of the Indian Air Force will be to simultaneously procure Rafale (114 aircraft, total cost exceeding $20 billion), Su-57E (40-60 aircraft, total cost of $3.2-6 billion), and AMCA (approximately 200 aircraft).
Original text: www.toutiao.com/article/1845488131685388/
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