{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Air Chief Marshal AP Singh Clarifies Stance on Fifth-Gen Jets, Confirming No US Offer for F-35 and Awaiting Decision on Russian Su-57",
  "summary": "IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated that the US has made no official offer for the F-35, while any evaluation of Russia's Su-57 rests on a pending government decision.",
  "content": "Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has set the record straight regarding the Indian Air Force's potential acquisition of fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft. Addressing a press conference in Jodhpur on Saturday during the closing ceremony of the multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-2026, the Chief of the Air Staff stated that the United States has not submitted any official proposal to supply India with the F-35 fighter jet. At the same time, he addressed speculation surrounding Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter, clarifying that no final decision has been reached regarding its procurement or technical evaluation.\n\nClarification on Rumours Regarding the American F-35\nResponding to queries about the advanced American F-35 stealth fighter, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressed the topic with a touch of humor. Speaking alongside the commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), who was present during the interaction, he remarked, \"Your people do not even let us go near the aircraft, and you are talking about selling it to us.\" The direct remark dispelled external speculation, confirming that Washington has extended no formal sales offer to New Delhi for the stealth jet.\n\nRussian Su-57 Proposal Awaits Government Approval\nRegarding the potential induction of Russia's Su-57 into the Indian fleet, AP Singh acknowledged awareness that Moscow has put forward a proposal for the aircraft. However, he noted that a decision on whether to undertake a formal assessment of the fighter remains pending. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh explained, \"Once we are conveyed the decision, we will evaluate how well it meets our requirements.\" The remarks clearly establish that any step toward an acquisition depends strictly on an initial policy decision from the government, following which the air force will gauge the platform's operational suitability.\n\nIndigenous Fifth-Generation Ambitions and Multinational Drills\nThe clarification arrives as India conducts a comprehensive appraisal of its long-term combat fleet requirements, placing major emphasis on self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing through the domestic development of an advanced fifth-generation fighter jet. Meanwhile, the Tarang Shakti-2026 exercise held in Jodhpur concluded after bringing together the Indian Air Force alongside air arms from eight participating nations, including India, offering an expansive platform for interoperability and operational knowledge exchange.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe Air Chief Marshal's remarks provide decisive clarity regarding India's immediate air defense roadmap and fighter jet procurement plans.\n\n• Defence Self-Reliance: Dispelling immediate foreign procurement rumors reinforces national focus on developing an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This strategy supports long-term domestic aerospace research, engineering, and manufacturing capabilities.\n• Clarity on Global Acquisitions: Speculative reports regarding incoming F-35 or Su-57 acquisitions have been definitively settled. Any eventual aircraft evaluation will strictly depend on prior policy direction from the central government.\n• Strategic Interoperability: The conclusion of Tarang Shakti-2026 with eight participating nations highlights India's ongoing commitment to multi-domain military cooperation. Such joint exercises enhance joint operational readiness and diplomatic ties with international partners.\n• Budgetary Planning: With no immediate foreign fifth-generation acquisition underway, immediate capital outflow for multi-billion-dollar foreign jets remains off the table. This allows defence planners to channel resources toward ongoing fleet upgrades and indigenous programmes.\n\nWhy this happened\nThe remarks address persistent speculation in defence circles and media reports regarding India's interest in acquiring foreign fifth-generation stealth jets.\n\n• Media Queries at a Major Milestone: The conclusion of the multinational air drill Tarang Shakti-2026 presented a formal platform where the IAF leadership was directly asked about the prospects of inducting the F-35 or Su-57. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh utilized the press conference to state the official position unequivocally.\n• Disparate Status of Foreign Offers: While Russia formally submitted a proposal regarding the Su-57, the Indian government has not yet sanctioned an operational evaluation. In contrast, the United States has made no official offer to sell the F-35 to India.\n• Focus on Indigenous Programs: India is actively pursuing the development of its own fifth-generation fighter jet under broader self-reliance initiatives. Consequently, any foreign aircraft consideration requires prior policy clearance and alignment with domestic aerospace goals.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. Did the United States offer the F-35 fighter jet to India?\nNo, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh confirmed that the US has made no official offer to sell the F-35 to India.\n\n2. What is the status of the Russian Su-57 proposal?\nRussia has submitted a proposal, but the IAF will only evaluate the aircraft after receiving a formal decision from the government.\n\n3. Where and when did the IAF Chief make these comments?\nHe made the comments on Saturday in Jodhpur during the closing ceremony of the multinational exercise Tarang Shakti-2026.\n\n4. How many countries participated in Tarang Shakti-2026?\nA total of eight nations, including India, took part in the multinational air exercise.\n\n5. What is India's long-term plan regarding fifth-generation fighter jets?\nIndia is actively working on developing its own indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet to bolster defence self-reliance.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/panchavin-pirhi-ke-laraku-vimanon-para-vayusena-pramukha-ka-bara-bayana-f-35-ka-koi-ameriki-prastava-nahin-aura-rusi-su-57-para-bh-46189",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-11",
  "tags": [
    "Indian Air Force",
    "AP Singh",
    "F-35",
    "Su-57",
    "Tarang Shakti 2026",
    "Fighter Jets"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}