Former Air Force officer Ajay Ahlawat has sounded a clear warning. He believes India must reject the lure of imported fifth‑generation fighters and put every resource into building its own stealth jet, the AMCA.
"It would be best if we eliminate the option to import FGFA ( Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft). We have two bad choices. F‑35 comes with strings attached. US can not be trusted to steer a predictable foreign policy. Su57 is not really a FGFA. Moreover, a large part of electronics, avionics components and chips etc are sourced from China. Imagine being in a shooting war with your equipment vendor," Ahlawat wrote on Tuesday.
His words land at a time when Russia has made a tempting pitch: co‑produce the Su‑57E with complete technology transfer.
Call for direct oversight
Ahlawat wants more than just a rejection of imports. He wants the AMCA declared a national mission, personally monitored from the top.
"AMCA is the only viable option. Bring the program under PMO. Call it a mission of national importance. Nominate one IAF 3‑star as program head, reporting to NSA. All agencies under," he added.
In his view, India must break free from foreign dependency if it wants real air power.
A different view
But not everyone agrees. Former Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor sees strategic merit in Russia’s plan. He thinks India should grab the chance while President Putin is set to visit.
"Just before Putin's visit on Thursday, Russia proposed a game changer offer for us, full tech transfer for co‑production of the Su‑57E at HAL Nashik (site of 220+ Su‑30MKI builds) plus direct delivery of Su‑35M jets in India's MRFA tender for 117 fighters. The dual offer promises deep localisation, source code access, it is a strategic boost for India’s ' Make in India' and our air power ambitions," Kapoor said on Monday.
For him, Russian cooperation means faster firepower with local jobs and know‑how.
Former chief says no
Backing Ahlawat’s view, former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria stays firm. No shortcuts, no imported jets. He says India must stick with its plan to finish the AMCA, no matter how long it takes.
"My answer is no. Now, the government has clearly put their faith in AMCA, and now we need to do everything as a nation to expedite the AMCA," Bhadauria said.
He spoke against panic buys, especially since Pakistan is expected to get Chinese J‑20 or J‑35 jets.
"That cause of concern in terms of what Pakistan is going to get from China in the interim – be it J20 or J‑35 – let them get these. That will be studied. What is important is in the interim how do you handle these threats and there are ways and means of tackling this threat that they will have,” he said.
Stronger defences the answer
Bhadauria stressed that India’s answer lies in tougher air defences, not shopping abroad.
"We have already demonstrated our capabilities in the air defence zones… in air‑to‑ground precision zones in terms of standoff. So therefore we'll need to have an action plan to be able to sort this out and I think that's the way to go," he said.
He accepts that Pakistan may fly stealth jets before India. But he believes that does not have to tilt the balance.
"In terms of stealth capability Pakistan is likely to get before us, we'll have to take some other measures in order to be able to detect by some means, to be able to still hold them off our borders much inside so that they are unable to launch. And should they be able to launch their cruise missiles or their standoff weapons, we are able to tackle the weapons," Bhadauria added.
Where AMCA stands now
The AMCA, short for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, is India’s first attempt to build a fifth‑generation stealth fighter on its own. DRDO, HAL and private firms are working together. The project is now in the detailed design stage. The first flying prototype is likely by the end of this decade.
At stake is more than just an aircraft. The real test is whether India can build what it needs without outside help. If it works, the AMCA could close the stealth gap with rivals and cut foreign ties that come with hidden risks.
The next few months will show which path India picks: build at home or buy from abroad. The debate has begun.
"It would be best if we eliminate the option to import FGFA ( Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft). We have two bad choices. F‑35 comes with strings attached. US can not be trusted to steer a predictable foreign policy. Su57 is not really a FGFA. Moreover, a large part of electronics, avionics components and chips etc are sourced from China. Imagine being in a shooting war with your equipment vendor," Ahlawat wrote on Tuesday.
His words land at a time when Russia has made a tempting pitch: co‑produce the Su‑57E with complete technology transfer.
Call for direct oversight
Ahlawat wants more than just a rejection of imports. He wants the AMCA declared a national mission, personally monitored from the top.
"AMCA is the only viable option. Bring the program under PMO. Call it a mission of national importance. Nominate one IAF 3‑star as program head, reporting to NSA. All agencies under," he added.
In his view, India must break free from foreign dependency if it wants real air power.
A different view
But not everyone agrees. Former Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor sees strategic merit in Russia’s plan. He thinks India should grab the chance while President Putin is set to visit.
"Just before Putin's visit on Thursday, Russia proposed a game changer offer for us, full tech transfer for co‑production of the Su‑57E at HAL Nashik (site of 220+ Su‑30MKI builds) plus direct delivery of Su‑35M jets in India's MRFA tender for 117 fighters. The dual offer promises deep localisation, source code access, it is a strategic boost for India’s ' Make in India' and our air power ambitions," Kapoor said on Monday.
Just before Putin’s visit on Thursday, Russia proposed a game changer offer for us, full tech transfer for co‑production of the Su‑57E at HAL Nashik (site of 220+ Su‑30MKI builds) plus direct delivery of Su‑35M jets in India’s MRFA tender for 117 fighters.
— kaps78 (@sanjeev__kapoor) July 7, 2025
The dual offer… pic.twitter.com/sLT9IBtsEC
For him, Russian cooperation means faster firepower with local jobs and know‑how.
Former chief says no
Backing Ahlawat’s view, former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria stays firm. No shortcuts, no imported jets. He says India must stick with its plan to finish the AMCA, no matter how long it takes.
"My answer is no. Now, the government has clearly put their faith in AMCA, and now we need to do everything as a nation to expedite the AMCA," Bhadauria said.
He spoke against panic buys, especially since Pakistan is expected to get Chinese J‑20 or J‑35 jets.
"That cause of concern in terms of what Pakistan is going to get from China in the interim – be it J20 or J‑35 – let them get these. That will be studied. What is important is in the interim how do you handle these threats and there are ways and means of tackling this threat that they will have,” he said.
Stronger defences the answer
Bhadauria stressed that India’s answer lies in tougher air defences, not shopping abroad.
"We have already demonstrated our capabilities in the air defence zones… in air‑to‑ground precision zones in terms of standoff. So therefore we'll need to have an action plan to be able to sort this out and I think that's the way to go," he said.
He accepts that Pakistan may fly stealth jets before India. But he believes that does not have to tilt the balance.
"In terms of stealth capability Pakistan is likely to get before us, we'll have to take some other measures in order to be able to detect by some means, to be able to still hold them off our borders much inside so that they are unable to launch. And should they be able to launch their cruise missiles or their standoff weapons, we are able to tackle the weapons," Bhadauria added.
Where AMCA stands now
The AMCA, short for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, is India’s first attempt to build a fifth‑generation stealth fighter on its own. DRDO, HAL and private firms are working together. The project is now in the detailed design stage. The first flying prototype is likely by the end of this decade.
At stake is more than just an aircraft. The real test is whether India can build what it needs without outside help. If it works, the AMCA could close the stealth gap with rivals and cut foreign ties that come with hidden risks.
The next few months will show which path India picks: build at home or buy from abroad. The debate has begun.
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