Punjab Newsline,National:
Rafale, Su-57, S-400, Tejas and AMCA to Form the Backbone of India’s Air Power for the Next 40–50 Years
India is moving rapidly toward becoming a global super air power in the coming years. Fighter jets like the Rafale, fifth-generation stealth aircraft Su-57, the powerful S-400 air defense system, indigenous Tejas, and the future AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) are set to form the backbone of India’s air strength. Work on this ambitious plan has begun at a war footing, and once implemented, it is expected to significantly alter the strategic balance in the region. While Pakistan is likely to feel the immediate impact, China too appears increasingly uneasy about India’s future air power.
According to defense sources, India’s long-term plan includes induction of around 150 Rafale fighter jets into the Indian Air Force. Rafale has already proven its superiority with its multi-role capability, long-range strike power, and advanced avionics. It gives India a decisive edge in both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions and strengthens the IAF’s frontline combat capability.
In addition, India is considering the induction of nearly 60 Su-57 stealth fighter jets. These fifth-generation aircraft will significantly enhance India’s ability to penetrate enemy airspace without detection, carry out deep strikes, and dominate contested air zones. With Su-57, India’s air force would enter a new era of stealth warfare, placing it on par with the world’s leading military powers.
On the air defense front, the planned deployment of 10 S-400 missile systems will make India’s airspace extremely difficult to breach. The S-400 is capable of tracking and destroying enemy fighter jets, drones, and ballistic missiles from hundreds of kilometers away. This system alone can neutralize major aerial threats from both Pakistan and China, strengthening India’s defensive shield.
India’s focus on self-reliance is reflected in the induction of around 210 Tejas fighter jets. Tejas is a cost-effective, agile, and modern aircraft equipped with advanced weapons and electronic warfare systems. Alongside this, the AMCA project represents India’s future ambition. Once operational, AMCA will place India among the select group of nations with indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighters.
If these plans are executed successfully, India could maintain air dominance for the next four to five decades. Clearly, this transformation in air power will not only keep Pakistan in check but also compel China to rethink its military strategy in the region.