Indian Air Force chief unveils new modernisation plan
Russia has been marketing the Sukhoi Su-57E Felon for the Indian Air Force. This aircraft was displayed at Aero India 2025. (Janes/Rahul Udoshi)
The chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has confirmed that the service is considering the Sukhoi Su-57E and the Dassault Rafale for acquisition, while speaking further about the IAF's performance during India's brief conflict with Pakistan earlier in 2025.
Both the Su-57E and the Rafale are among the fighter aircraft “options that are available to us” currently, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, said during a press conference held in New Delhi on 3 October, as part of the 93rd Air Force Day commemorations.
The service seeks new aircraft to replace ageing units and rebuild its combat strength. The acquisitions are to be made as part of the IAF's new road map for modernisation called ‘Vision 2047', according to ACM Singh.
He added that the road map is intended to transform the service into a multidomain-capable aerospace power.
The IAF's ‘Vision 2047' looks at upgrading several platforms, integrating new weapons and systems such as radars, replacing ageing platforms, reorientation of manpower, and updating training requirements, according to ACM Singh.
The IAF urgently requires new combat aircraft. It recently retired the last of its Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fleet in September 2025. Other in-service combat aircraft such as the Sepecat Jaguar, Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29, and Dassault Mirage 2000 will also have to be replaced in the future, the IAF has previously said.
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