Russian origin fifth-generation stealth fighter, Sukhoi-57, is likely the first choice for India as a ‘stop-gap’ measure.India’s own effort of making a fifth-generation jet, known in military circles as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is at least a decade away.Two days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking at St Peterburg Economic Forum, reiterated a proposal to make the Sukhoi -57 under a joint production with India.Last month, the Ministry of Defence asked three shortlisted consortiums to submit formal commercial and technical bids for manufacturing five prototypes of the AMCA.Amid this scenario, the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air force have discussed the immediate need of having a fifth-generation jet due to China’s growing fleet. China has operational fifth-generation jets, the J20 and the J-35. It has promised to give the same to Pakistan. It was first ‘sop’ Beijing announced for Islamabad after the India-Pakistan conflict (Operation Sindoor) in May last year.The US option of fifth-generation jet, F-35, is not being considered as India fears US restrictions on operating such an offensive platform, sources said. Among the restrictions could include non-integration of Indian weapons on board.The existing IAF fleet of Sukhoi- 30MKI jets have mated even the BrahMos and was used during Operation Sindoor. Without the integration, India would be forced to buy costly arsenal from the western nations.Also the Sukhoi-57 would a commonality of maintenance with the Sukhoi-30MKI, some 270 of these are in the IAF fleet. A Russian delegation from the Sukhoi Design Bureau recently assessed HAL’s key facilities, including the Nashik division (final assembly for Sukhoi-30MKI), Koraput (engine production) and Kasaragod (avionics) — and shared a report confirming HAL’s readiness for full-scale production, if India accepts Russia’s proposal.The HAL has prepared its own detailed analysis of investments needed in infrastructure, technology upgrades, R&D, human resources and supply chain enhancements to enable local production if the MoD okays the Sukhoi -57.A fifth-generation fighter is defined by its capabilities that allows the pilot to maintain decision superiority over an adversary. Onboard sensors and stealth technology make it tough for enemy radars to track a fifth-generation plane that is backed by millions of software codes.The classification of a generational shift occurs when a technological innovation cannot be incorporated into an existing aircraft through upgrades and retrospective fit-outs.The first-generation subsonic fighters are from mid 1940s to mid 1950s; the second-generation jets are from mid-1950s to early 1960s; third-generation jets are from early 1960s to 1970; fourth-generation fighters are from 1970 to late 1980s; four and half generation-jets had followed. And the fifth gen arrived in 2005, when the US unveiled F-22 Raptor.Notably, in 2007, India signed an agreement with Russia for the joint development of a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA). Both nations initially committed $6 billion to the project, India withdrew in 2018, citing concerns over cost, workshare and perceived capability gaps.