According to some sources, Indian air forces reconsidered their acquisition program due to financial reasons and are now going to purchase about 54 fifth-generation fighters (18 ones for each of their three squadrons), Vzglyad reports with reference to Defense World.
Another reason for changing the plans is that New Delhi thinks that development of the new vehicle will take too long (around 8 years). According to Defense World, India is afraid of falling behind China, which is also developing a fifth-generation fighter.
On April 2nd 2015 US mass media reported that Indian-Russian joint program for development of the fifth-generation fighter (FGFA) has been put on hold. Indian Ministry of Defense stopped answering Russia’s inquiries related to negotiating the matter.
However, in late July India stated that the development would continue after signing a contract for research and development work. It was planned to manufacture 127 FGFA fighters. Indian party was ready to invest $25 billion in the joint project (including procurement). In addition, India is going to develop its own fifth-generation fighter, but the development will take from 10 to 15 years.
India has already changed conditions of one large contract for delivery of aircraft. In April India announced signing a contract with France for delivery of 36 Rafale fighters, but initially it was going to purchase 126 jets of the type. According to mass media, the number of jets to be purchased decreased, because Rafale’s price increased two times.
