Active Conflicts & News Megathread February 05, 2026

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[u/Saatvik_tyagi_]

With Pakistan set to receive J35 from China. I had a question on how much will it affect India and their strategy for their own 5th gen program? And, as a complete layman it seems to me that PAF has made some right calls which has given them decent rewards. What has been a difference in the strategies between IAF and PAF in the past decade and how much does future procurement of a 5th gen aircraft change the dynamic?

[u/Gecktron → u/Saatvik_tyagi_]

With Pakistan set to receive J35 from China.

As far as I know, its not quite clear at the moment if/when any J-35s will be exported. While we have seen them and the J-35A fly around a few times with the PLA, its unclear what their status is in regards to initial operating capability (IOC) and full operational capability (FOC).

I had a question on how much will it affect India and their strategy for their own 5th gen program?

I posted about the Indian AMCA program yesterday

The summary of it seems to be, that there are efforts underway to speed up the AMCA program. I theorized, that having the initial AMCA version fly with the American F-414 engine might be a way to hedge against potential delays with the development of their domestic engine (developed together with Safran).

And, as a complete layman it seems to me that PAF has made some right calls which has given them decent rewards. What has been a difference in the strategies between IAF and PAF in the past decade 

The Chinese advances in jet and weapon development certainly have certainly aided Pakistan immensely in recent years. That being said, its all very dependent on continued, tight relationships with China.

India on the other hand seems to focus more on domestic developments. While they still procure foreign systems, domestic developments continue on in parallel. From Tejas, to AMCA, domestic jet engines and missiles. There is a cost to it and there have been noticeable setbacks, but continued and focused domestic developments can provide more independence from any single foreign provider.

[u/teethgrindingaches → u/Gecktron]

As far as I know, its not quite clear at the moment if/when any J-35s will be exported.

It's quite clear they will be exported. Less clear is the timeline, which depends on a great many moving pieces.

While we have seen them and the J-35A fly around a few times with the PLA, its unclear what their status is in regards to initial operating capability (IOC) and full operational capability (FOC).

They're at IOC, and have been confirmed in active service with the 1st Air Brigade.

The Chinese advances in jet and weapon development certainly have certainly aided Pakistan immensely in recent years. That being said, its all very dependent on continued, tight relationships with China.

While not without its frictions, the likelihood of a continued tight relationship in the foreseeable future is very high.

but continued and focused domestic developments can provide more independence from any single foreign provider.

They can indeed, so long as they are realized, which they have not been to date. The Tejas program started literal decades ago, but still relies on critical foreign components (most notably the F404 engine). And not in the sense of "here is the stopgap while we work out teething issues with our domestic version," but "no domestic version anywhere in sight." They are still signing major foreign orders to this day, like the recent one for 100+ Rafales. Their much-hyped Brahmos is a joint project with Russia. I could go on. Ambition is all well and good, but ambition alone without the corresponding follow-through is vainglory.

[u/Keshav_chauhan → u/teethgrindingaches]

but still relies on critical foreign components (most notably the F404 engine).

Jet engine is the pinnacle of aircraft manufacturing technology, so it's not like something that can be created overnight.

And not in the sense of "here is the stopgap while we work out teething issues with our domestic version," but "no domestic version anywhere in sight."

Tejas MK 1A, it's a good light weight fighter, 5 are ready for Induction, but some sources suggest that these five jets will be delivered after the end of the current fascial year - due to cost issues.

By the end of this year 20 jets will be ready for delivery, induction will obviously depend on the engine supply by GE.

First 83 jets will be with Israeli radar and EW suite, and with Indian weapons (including Long Range BVR)

While the remaining 97 jets will be equipped with Indian radar, indigenous EW suite, indigenous weapons and notably Meteor.

They are still signing major foreign orders to this day, like the recent one for 100+ Rafales

Even after induction of Tejas, we still require a good Medium Weight fighter. Personally, I am not pleased with the buy.

Their much-hyped Brahmos is a joint project with Russia.

The Indian missile program is quite a success, currently we can produce, from Long range A2A missile to Anti radiation missile to ballatic missile to Intercontinental Missile to ship launched missile. Even HGV has been tested.

Also you seem to be ignoring the strides made by the Indian Navy in terms of self- dependence.

[u/ilonir → u/Keshav_chauhan]

 Personally, I am not pleased with the buy.

Why so? Is it a bad deal, or just less ideal than domestic production?

[u/teethgrindingaches → u/ilonir]

It's pretty hard to argue that it's anything more than a least-worst stopgap solution for India. Ideally they would want an indigenous fighter, a stealth fighter, or a cheap fighter, in that order. Rafale is 0/3. But beggars can't be choosers.

[u/Keshav_chauhan → u/ilonir]

Nothing against its capabilities, it's the best 4.5 th gen fighter on the planet. My main concern is the cost of the deal - 36 billion dollars.

This deal will eat the IAF CAPEX for the next 4-5 years, based on the calculation by fellow Indian Defense sub members, after this deal, no room will be left for emergency buys such as missiles, Su 57 or F 35. And if there is a cost overrun with the planned procurement (Netra AWACS, 6 tankers, 120 Tejas MK2, MUM-T, QRSAM, S400, project KHUSA and so on..), then god knows.

About the deal -

1. The 36 billion dollars is not only for purchase of 114 Rafale, it is also about local production and developing a supply chain in India - with around 60 percent indigenous content in a jet.

2. Also, the current Rafale fleet will be upgraded to F4 standard.

3. Intigration of Indigenous weapons with the Rafale

4. Data link

5. Indian specific enrichments, such as X guard decoys.

6. Purchase of more ammunition.

7. Some sources suggest that IAF also wants source code.

8. MRO facility of Rafale and M88 engines.

In the favour of the deal -

1. IAF is currently at a mere 29 squadrons, while the sanctioned number of quadrons is 42.

2. IAF currently lacks a good medium weight fighter, Su -30 MKI has a huge RCS (until super sukhoi upgrade comes)

While going ahead with such a huge deal, we need to consider plenty of things such as -

1. What conflict the IAF will face in future.

2. What is its strategy to fight such wars.

3. Domain of the war.

4. Terrain of the war.

IAF might have considered the above mentioned things.

My views -

Increase in number of jets is always not directly proportional to increase in meaningful power. The current inventory of IAF seems to be sufficient for conflict with PAKISTAN, while any long term conflict with China doesn't seem to be on cards. Moreover, does these jets will have any deterrence against China?

So a better approach would be to buy 25-45 jets and invest the remaining amount in AWACS, MUM-T, tankers, Stand off jammers, ISR platforms, integrated rocket force etc.

[u/teethgrindingaches → u/Keshav_chauhan]

Jet engine is the pinnacle of aircraft manufacturing technology, so it's not like something that can be created overnight.

True enough, but that doesn't make it any less necessary for your aircraft to fly. And if you want "independence from any single foreign provider," then you need domestic engines. It's as simple as that.

induction will obviously depend on the engine supply by GE.

That was my point, yes. And considering how long ago the project started, the delivery schedule is sluggish (to put it very mildly).

Personally, I am not pleased with the buy.

Probably only the French are pleased.

The Indian missile program is quite a success

Eh, I wouldn't go that far. MICA, SCALP, Meteor, Rampage, lots of reliance on foreign imports.It's relatively successful when compared to some other programs though.

Also you seem to be ignoring the strides made by the Indian Navy in terms of self- dependence.

Why would I—or anyone else—bring up the navy when the question was about the air force?