India’s consideration of acquiring the F-35 fighter jet raises significant operational and financial questions. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh cautions against hasty decisions. The F-35, a high-cost aircraft, brings concerns related to integration and practicality amidst an ageing fleet and geopolitical pressures. Analysts foresee India’s focus on indigenous production over foreign acquisitions in the long term.

India’s contemplation regarding the acquisition of the F-35 fighter jet has gained recent attention, particularly following remarks by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who cautioned against hasty decisions in defence procurement, stating, “It is not like buying a washing machine.” The F-35, priced around $80 million per unit, raises critical questions about whether this advanced aircraft is a wise investment for India amidst concerns over its performance.

The F-35 is promoted as a fifth-generation stealth fighter equipped with sophisticated sensors and artificial intelligence-driven combat capabilities. However, its integration into the Indian Air Force (IAF) could present considerable logistical challenges. India currently faces the dilemma of whether the F-35 represents a transformative asset or an unmanageable burdensome expenditure.

Analysts have expressed skepticism surrounding the F-35’s practicality. Ashley J Tellis of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace asserts that the deal is more symbolic than tenable, as acquiring the F-35 likely will not align with India’s goal of domestic production. Such an acquisition could be met with significant end-user monitoring, which might not align with the Indian government’s priorities.

Concerns regarding the F-35’s operational effectiveness further complicate the discussion. Stephen Bryen highlighted its underwhelming availability rate of approximately 51% for the US Air Force, questioning India’s readiness to invest significantly when it might benefit more from existing options, such as Russian fighter jets. Comparatively, India’s exit from the co-development program of the Su-57 due to disagreements stands as a barrier to alternative sourcing.

Amidst these issues, India faces the pressing challenge of an ageing fighter fleet. Political scientist Christopher Clary noted a notable reduction in India’s aircraft numbers as China enhances its own fleet significantly. To address this, India aims to procure over 500 jets, predominantly through indigenous channels. However, progress on the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program has been hindered by funding issues and bureaucratic delays, preventing effective modernization of the IAF.

In a contradictory development, the US has recently allocated $397 million for the maintenance of Pakistan’s F-16 fleet, a move that has raised alarms in India given its prior commitment to cut security aid. Analysts critique this decision as indicative of the US hedging its military commitments in South Asia, reinstating tensions reminiscent of historical air conflicts.

Further complicating India’s strategic decisions is the slow development of its indigenous fighter program, which has left the IAF at a technological disadvantage compared to regional adversaries. Rahul Bhatia emphasized that delays in the Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet delivery exacerbate the situation, prompting calls for swift acquisitions that can promptly address existing gaps within the fleet.

As geopolitical dynamics evolve with emerging sixth-generation technologies from China, the IAF’s ambition of developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains a long-term goal, slated for readiness by 2035. Given the current operational need, Air Chief Marshal Singh acknowledges the potential necessity of short-term purchases until India can robustly advance its indigenous capabilities.

In conclusion, amidst critical strategic evaluations, experts predict India may not pursue options like the F-35 or the Su-57. Instead, there may be a focus on addressing immediate needs through temporary acquisitions while striving towards self-reliance in defence production. The overarching view emphasizes that for India’s future airpower strategy, the priority lies not in merely acquiring sophisticated jets but in developing its own technologies—prompting a cautious yet proactive approach to defence procurement for the Indian government.

In summary, while the F-35 offers remarkable capabilities as a fifth-generation stealth fighter, its acquisition poses significant logistical and strategic challenges for India. Current discussions reveal the complexities of defence procurement in light of operational effectiveness, indigenous capabilities, and geopolitical tensions. As India navigates its modernization efforts, the emphasis may remain on fostering domestic production to reduce reliance on external sources, ensuring that India’s airpower is robust and self-sustaining in the long run.

Original Source: m.economictimes.com

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