At his annual press conference in New Delhi, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh offered his clearest signals yet on the Indian Air Force’s fighter roadmap. While leaning openly towards the French-built Rafale as the most practical choice for the IAF’s next big fighter acquisition, he also kept the door ajar for Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter — if Moscow can pair cutting-edge technology with credible Make-in-India commitments.

His remarks landed at a politically charged moment. Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to visit India in December, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2026. Both trips are expected to carry heavy defence agendas — and the future of India’s fighter fleet will likely be high on the table.

Rafale: Familiar Advantage, Faster Integration

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