Pakistan Pilots Start 5th-Gen Fighter Training In China? Will IAF’s Dwindling Fleet Force India Into ‘Panic Buying’
Indian Viewpoint excerpted from Eurasian Times:
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilots have begun training on the Chinese FC-31 Gyrfalcon (formerly known as J-31) fighter aircraft in China, Pakistan media is claiming. The media says it could soon be operating the 5th-gen fighters after undergoing training.
In contrast, the delivery of India’s indigenous fighter jet, Light Combat Aircraft LCA MK1A, has been pushed back by a few months. If Indian defense officials are not proactive, they might end up ‘panic buying’ more Rafale fighter jets.
The delay in deliveries of the LCA Mk1A, the advanced variant of LCA ‘Tejas,’ prompted the Vice Chief of the IAF Air Marshal AP Singh to caution that ‘Atma Nirbharta’ (self-reliance) in defense cannot be at the cost of national security.
India has an ambitious lineup of fighter jets. After LCA Mk1A and Mk2, the government has given a nod for the development of the indigenous 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Reference: https://www.eurasiantimes.com/pakistan-pilots-start-5th-gen-fighter-jet/
