Pak China jet plan worry for India: Air Chief flags fifth-generation fighter threat

Air chief says India has capabilities to respond, while stressing aircraft integration and wider combat systems matter beyond a single advanced platform

Pakistan's possible acquisition of fifth-generation fighter jets through cooperation with China is a "cause for worry", Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said on Saturday, while asserting that India had the capability to respond.

"We are getting the information that Pakistan is going to acquire a fifth-generation fighter jet and that their pilots have already been training in China. So, it is a cause for worry, no doubt," the air chief said at his annual news conference. "But is it a total no-go situation? I will not agree with that. We do have capabilities."

Singh said the acquisition of advanced aircraft alone did not determine the outcome of an air campaign. "It is not just one platform that matters, but the integration of that platform in your own system," he said.

Theaterisation

On the long-pending theaterisation of the armed forces, Singh said the IAF was "not against" theatre commands.

"But we have a new situation after Operation Sindoor and we should look at all aspects before taking the final decision."

Last month, the Centre had asked the military leadership to resolve their internal differences and speed up the restructuring of the armed forces into integrated theatre commands to deal with security challenges and future wars.

Sources said the government was examining a draft proposal for advance theaterisation, submitted by the former chief of defence staff, General Anil Chauhan, which incorporated the lessons learnt during Operation Sindoor.

India's air force has long been wary of theatre commands, largely because its depleted fighter strength leaves it with limited assets to divide among the different theatres. It argues that the nature of its operations is so fluid that all of India is one theatre for it.

The air force is also said to be apprehensive that the army might hog the senior positions in any theatre command.

The army brass, who support theaterisation, contend that multiple commands lead to confusion. They have cited the example of China, which has a single Western Theatre Command for the entire Indian frontier.

Singh had last year argued that India should not be influenced by the example of any other country in rolling out theatre commands in a hurry. He had, instead, proposed the establishment of a joint planning and coordination centre in Delhi, made up of the top military leadership, to ensure tri-services synergy.

Sources say the government's plan is to have three to five theatre commands. Each will have army, navy and air force units, all working together as a single entity and looking after specified geographical territories under an operational commander. Major military powers including the US, China, the UK and France operate under theatre commands.

Honey-trap alert

Singh cautioned personnel about the risk of being honey-trapped, stressing the need for greater vigilance while interacting with people through social media and other digital platforms.

"We have been sensitising our people every time about it and I personally speak to them and tell them how they can be honey-trapped," he said.

Several serving and retired defence personnel have over the past few years been arrested on the charge of spying for Pakistan's spy agency ISI. A serving IAF wing commander was arrested on May 30 for allegedly sharing defence information with a woman suspected of ISI links.

'Proud of Smit'

Captain Smit Machchhar displayed exceptional bravery in saving a Flydubai flight this week, Singh said on Saturday.

"Every Indian is proud of him. What he did was exceptionally brave. He showed great physical and mental resolve," Singh said.

He made the remarks while responding to a question at a media conference.