Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll

[Fatman17]

This is not a thread to discuss op Sindoor. Go to Kashmir war thread

 

[Yasser76]

i think you wrote something. But i didnt read it. Because i dont read fiction in general.

Great factual rebuttal. Cope harder now.

 

[Pakistanithinktank]

India is heading into a decisive decade. By 2030 and beyond, the Air Force will need 12 to 15 additional fighter squadrons just to maintain credible deterrence against China. Meeting that requirement will demand bold decisions, faster production, and a willingness to rethink old structures.

To begin with, India should expand Su‑30MKI production to at least 40 aircraft per year. The Su‑30 remains the backbone of the IAF, and a modernized Block‑4 upgrade with AESA radar, advanced EW systems, new weapons, and improved avionics, would keep India’s heavy‑fighter edge intact well into the 2030s.

At the same time, Tejas Mk2 production must move into the private sector. HAL alone cannot deliver the volume or speed required. Handing Mk2 manufacturing to private defence companies would break long‑standing bottlenecks, accelerate output, and finally give India the industrial depth it has lacked for decades.

Engine security is another critical pillar. India needs to finalize and operationalize local production of the GE F414 engine, ensuring a stable supply chain for both Tejas Mk2 and AMCA. Without engine independence, every fighter program remains vulnerable.

India should also consider local production of the Su‑57 as an interim 5th‑generation solution. A limited number of Su‑57s built in India would give the IAF early stealth capability while AMCA completes development.

And that leads to the toughest question of all. What should India do with AMCA?
Should it remain entirely with HAL?
Should it be handed over to the private sector?
Or should India adopt a hybrid model?

The truth is simple, if AMCA is to be produced in meaningful numbers, at high quality, and without decades of delay, a private‑sector‑led or hybrid production model is the only realistic path. HAL can lead design and certification, but large‑scale manufacturing must involve India’s top private aerospace companies.

This combined strategy strengthens India’s airpower, expands industrial capacity, and ensures readiness for the 2030–2040 threat environment.