India should not meet its need for fifth-generation fighter jets by buying aircraft from abroad, as such a move could slow the country’s own AMCA project, former Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Bhadouria said, according to The Economic Times.

Russia had previously offered New Delhi the Su-57E not only as a ready-made aircraft. Moscow also allowed for the possibility of establishing production in India and transferring technologies. Facilities in Nashik, where Su-30MKI production had already been set up, were mentioned as one potential manufacturing site.

Bhadouria sees the use of an imported fighter as an interim solution as a mistake from a long-term strategic perspective. In his assessment, even if Pakistan acquires Chinese J-20 or J-35 fighters, that should not push New Delhi into purchasing a foreign aircraft of the same generation.

He also pointed to the additional costs that would inevitably come with introducing another foreign platform into service. The aircraft would require dedicated infrastructure and trained personnel, while Indian weapons systems would have to be separately integrated with the new fighter.

According to Bhadouria, such a program could draw specialists, resources and effort away from the teams currently working on the AMCA.