IAF chief hints at 'foreign options' for 5th-gen jets, flags Pakistan-China tie-up

IAF chief hints at 'foreign options' for 5th-gen jets, flags Pakistan-China tie-up NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh on Saturday said that Pakistan's collaboration with China to build fifth-generation fighter jets is a "cause for concern" for India.At the annual press conference, Singh said that the IAF will be able to ward off the threat for the time being, but India must induct fifth-generation fighter jets quickly."It is a cause for worry, no doubt. But is it a situation which is a total no-go situation? I would not agree to that. We do have capabilities. It is not that one platform matters so much. It is the integration of that platform into your system. Just as Pakistan had other platforms, when we carried out Operation Sindoor, they could not do much with them," Singh said."So, as we purchase various platforms and induct them, we must ensure that they are properly integrated into our system. So, we should be able to ward off this threat for the time being, till they integrate it into their system very well. For the future, we need to think ahead. We need to bring in a fifth-generation aircraft quickly. We have to push the AMCA programme. And if there are delays in it, we need to take some other decisions," he added.During the presser, Singh said that the IAF currently has 29 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42. End of Article