US President Donald Trump said that his administration is working on providing India with advanced F-35 stealth fighter jets, as announced during his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This move is part of the expanding India-US defense partnership, which aims to increase military sales to India by billions of dollars.

Colonel (Retd.) Sanjeet Sirohi, a renowened Defence and Foreign Relation expert and TV penalist explains why stealth aircrafts are important for India in this exclusive interview with News24’s Akshat Mittal. He explains how America’s F-35 competes with Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57.

Let’s delve deeper into the conversation to gain more insights.

F-35 vs Sukhoi Su-57: Excerpts

Question- Why is stealth technology crucial for modern fighter aircraft, and how does it give them an advantage in enemy airspace?

Answer- The biggest issue today is that aircraft, like drones, are becoming increasingly detectable by radar. As soon as you enter an enemy’s airspace, your aircraft or drone is locked onto by their radar. Once locked, a missile from the enemy’s defense system is automatically launched toward you, which can destroy your aircraft. This is the primary threat. However, the biggest advantage now is stealth technology, which prevents detection by radar.

For example, when Israel used F-35 jets to attack military sites in Iran, the aircraft were undetectable to the enemy’s radar. The aircraft completed their mission and returned without being intercepted. If any other aircraft had been used, they would have been detected and destroyed by the enemy’s air defense systems. Stealth aircraft cleverly manage their thermal emissions, ensuring that radar systems can’t detect them. Additionally, they carefully control their altitude, avoiding any sudden changes in height that could trigger radar detection. Therefore, having stealth fighter jets is crucial for any country in today’s world.

Question- How do the F-35 compare with Sukhoi Su-57?

Answer- The first thing we should understand is that the F-35 is the best fighter aircraft in the world today. Soon after Russia offered the Sukhoi Su-57, US President Donald Trump offered us the F-35. If we compare both aircraft, there are three or four key parameters to consider.

The first parameter is speed. The Sukhoi Su-57 has a top speed of 2,137 km/h, whereas the F-35’s top speed is 1,931 km/h. The second parameter is range—how far each aircraft can travel to reach and return from a target. The F-35 can travel up to 1,500 kilometers, while the Sukhoi Su-57 has a range of 1,900 kilometers. This means the Sukhoi can go further without needing air-to-air refueling, which gives it an advantage in range.

The third difference is cost. The F-35 costs around $80-110 million per unit. In comparison, the Sukhoi Su-57 costs between $30 million to $40 million, meaning it is almost half the cost of the F-35.

But the fourth difference is combat experience. The F-35 has already been tested in combat, with countries like the US and Israel deploying it successfully in military operations. For example, the F-35 was used in a strike I mentioned earlier. On the other hand, while the Sukhoi Su-57 has seen some action in Ukraine, it has not been used extensively, and there was a crash in 2019, which raised concerns about its reliability.

The F-35 also comes in different variants: one for normal take-off and landing, another for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), and a version designed for naval use. Given all these factors, there’s no doubt that the F-35 is currently the best fighter aircraft in terms of capability and versatility.

Question- How does the F-35 compare to China’s J-20 in terms of overall capability?

Answer- The J-20 is also a fighter aircraft, and it has an internal fuel load. However, it cannot carry air-to-ground bomp. It has a long-range missile, the PL-15. Additionally, it has a WS 15 engine. However, when comparing the avionics, the F-35 is superior to China’s J-20 in terms of overall capability.

Question- What is the likelihood of stealth aircraft being detected by air defense systems?

Answer- It is very difficult for any air defense system to detect the F-35. Even the most advanced air defense systems, like those with Russia’s S-400, would struggle to detect an F-35 due to its stealth features. If the F-35 cannot be detected, then it’s highly unlikely that the Sukhoi Su-57 would be detected either. The F-35 is currently considered the best in stealth technology.

Question- What is your opinion on Elon Musk criticizing the F-35 and advocating for drones in air combat?

Answer- As for your point about Elon Musk, the F-35 is often referred to as a revolutionary piece of technology, much like the advancements that Musk has made in other fields. Some even argue that the F-35 is so advanced that it could operate autonomously, with minimal human involvement. While the technology continues to evolve, aircraft like the F-35 still play a vital role in military operations, especially in scenarios like the attack on Iran, where the range of drones would not have been sufficient to complete the mission. Drones, while useful, still cannot replace fighter jets, especially in terms of combat range, versatility, and payload capacity.

In the future, with advancements in science and technology, drones may become more capable. However, as of today, no drone can fully replace the capabilities of fighter jets like the F-35.

Question- What are your thoughts on India’s options for acquiring a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, specifically comparing the Sukhoi Su-57 and F-35?

Answer- Right now, we also have a project underway, which aims to develop a fifth-generation fighter aircraft. However, this project is still in its early stages, and even if we achieve the right speed, it will be at least 10 years before we get any operational aircraft. The DRDO is developing the aircraft, and HAL will produce it. Realistically, it may take 14–15 years to see any results, depending on how the work progresses.

As for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), it’s still not ready. The Mark I and Mark II prototypes are still in development, and we are still waiting for engines. With the growing need to compete with China, our air force requires more aircraft. Additionally, other defense programs will also take time. The Mark II prototype, which was showcased at Aero India, is still not ready for mass production.

Now, in the current time, we have two options: the Sukhoi Su-57 or the F-35. While Russia is ready to offer the Su-57, Donald Trump has suggested that we could purchase the F-35 in the future. However, the process of procurement takes a long time, especially when so much money is involved. As mentioned by the government officials in recent press conferences, the procurement process is complex and can take years.

If we analyze the options available to us technically, economically, and logistically, the Sukhoi Su-57 seems to be the best option. It is cost-effective, and Russia is ready to deliver it. Additionally, we are already setting up manufacturing plants in India to produce Sukhois. Even if the U.S. offers the F-35, it would be manufactured in the U.S. and supplied as a finished product. If the political situation changes, and the U.S. decides to withhold spare parts or upgrades, we would be left with a costly aircraft that is difficult to maintain.

Moreover, the total lifetime cost of owning F-35 is estimated to be around $1.5 trillion due to maintenance, upgrades, and spare parts. Is India ready to bear such costs? The only advantage of purchasing the F-35 is improving relations with Western countries, particularly the U.S., geopolitically. However, we must consider whether we can afford such expenses just to appease foreign relations.

In my opinion, the Sukhoi Su-57 is the better choice, as it is more feasible both technically and economically. It would be delivered sooner, and we would have control over production and upgrades.

Question- What potential threat could India face if Pakistan acquires stealth aircraft from China?

Answer- Pakistan is another reason for India’s stealth aircraft acquisition mission, which is why we need to acquire a fifth-generation stealth aircraft. One of the key disadvantages has already been mentioned—whether we take the Sukhoi Su-57 or another option, we need to address the growing threat from China. We do not view Pakistan as a significant threat at this point, as its military capabilities are not on par with India’s.

Historically, from 1948 to 1999, Pakistan has taken action, but their ability to pose a serious threat will increase if it acquires stealth aircraft from China. Therefore, it is crucial that we acquire the fifth-generation aircraft immediately, especially considering the shifting dynamics in the region. In this situation, I believe the Sukhoi Su-57 is the best option available.

Question- What are your thoughts on Donald Trump’s stance on illegal immigration, and do you believe the way the individuals were treated during deportation was justified?

Answer- Donald Trump wants to address the issue of illegal immigrants, arguing that they take jobs from American citizens. However, why should illegal immigrants be allowed to stay? I don’t believe that the Government of India should raise this issue diplomatically. What is wrong is wrong, and it shouldn’t be justified.

Now, regarding the second question, should they have been sent this way? They should not have been sent this way at all. Tying their hands or binding their legs with a rope while placing them on the airplane, what is the logic behind this? What is there to fear that they would run away from the airplane? Even if the plane stopped somewhere on the way, there would still be security in place. Once they are in an airplane, there’s no immediate danger. However, one possible reason for this might be civil aviation rules, where people are sometimes restrained to prevent any security threat, such as a hijacking. This may have been done as a precautionary measure.

However, emotionally speaking, this should not have happened. There may be a reason for this action, but as far as illegal immigration is concerned, it is wrong. We should not be involved in helping those who are leaving their country and illegally entering another country.

Question- What is your opinion on Donald Trump’s statement that “BRICS is dead”?

Answer- Donald Trump is, first and foremost, a businessman. Secondly, he is a showman. His main focus is always on protecting the interests of America. Trump believes that if BRICS were to develop its own currency for trade, it could devalue the dollar, which is a major concern for him. This is because the majority of global transactions are conducted in dollars, with very few happening in rubles or yuan.

America views BRICS as a potential threat, especially considering India’s significant role in the group. However, this conversation should not have been raised at the time when Indian Prime Minister was on America’s soil, as India is a key stakeholder in BRICS.

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