What happened
India's air chief says no decision has been made on the Russian Su-57 offer, but a delay to the AMCA programme could reopen the question.
Why it matters
A 12-squadron shortfall now forces a live fallback to imported fifth-generation fighters.
Remember this
The AMCA timetable decides whether the Su-57 ever gets serious.
India's fighter fleet decision point
The Su-57 offer is the fallback; the squadron shortfall is the driver.
More context & who is affected
“Russia has offered us Su-57 jets, but no decision has been made on it,” he said, with the indigenous AMCA programme now sitting at industry selection.
That option only matters because the IAF is short: roughly 30 fighter squadrons stand against an authorised 42, so Singh says the force needs 36 to 40 aircraft every year.
Meanwhile the 114 Rafale government-to-government deal, cleared in February 2026, is the main near-term lever.
- Squadron gap
- 30 of 42 About 30 squadrons are operational against an authorised strength of 42.The Economic Times
- Annual intake
- 36-40 Singh says this pace is needed to rebuild squadron strength.The Economic Times
- Rafale MRFA
- 114 Cleared under a government-to-government framework in February 2026.The Hindu (PTI)
- AMCA gate
- Oct 31 The bid submission deadline was extended to October 30.The Economic Times
Reporting fromThe Economic Times ↗The Hindu (PTI) ↗
Sources & verification2 sources · 4 claims
These are the records behind this briefing. Linked reporting is not the same as independent confirmation.
- The Economic TimesReporting
IAF chief hints at foreign fifth-gen fighter option if AMCA is delayed, cites Russia's Su-57 offer ↗
Published Oct 3, 2026 · Accessed Oct 4, 2026 - The Hindu (PTI)Reporting
India may finalise MRFA deal by current financial year: IAF chief ↗
Published Oct 3, 2026 · Accessed Oct 4, 2026
Claims and linked sources
Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said the IAF may look at a foreign fifth-generation fighter if the AMCA programme slips, and that no decision has been taken on the Russian Su-57 offer.
The IAF operates about 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of roughly 42, and needs 36 to 40 aircraft every year to close the gap.
India cleared the procurement of 114 Rafale fighters under a government-to-government framework with France in February 2026, with price talks still running.
AMCA has moved to the industry selection stage; the RFP deadline was extended to October 30 and bids are set to open on October 31.
Community reactions
Community signals
Signal-only · not reporting“Russia has offered us Su-57 jets, but no decision has been made on it.”
“We need 36 to 40 aircraft every year.”
