gen jet ‘choice’ to counter Dragon

After clearing the Rafale jet deal with France, India is now set to formalise the procurement of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, with the Sukhoi-57 from Russia emerging as the first choice. The jet had made a flying demonstration at Aero India in Bengaluru in February last year. The Ministry of Defence and the IAF discussed the immediate need for having a fifth-generation jet due to China’s growing fleet, sources said. China has operational fifth-generation jets — the J-20 and the J-35. It has promised to give these to Pakistan. It was the first “sop” Beijing announced for Islamabad after…