A number of Indian media outlets have reported that the Indian Air Force is seriously considering signing a contract for the acquisition of over 100 MiG-35 ‘4++ generation’ fighter jets from Russia. A preliminary agreement was reportedly reached following the Aero India 2021 airshow, where extensive talks were held between representatives of the Indian Military and the Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport. The contract is expected to be valued at over $5 billion, according to Indian sources, and would provide the country with an effective means of quickly expanding the number of operational fighter units. India has sought to expand its Air Force’s fighter fleet 42 squadrons by 2035 - while retiring multiple older fighters currently in service such as the MiG-21BiS and Mirage 2000. This means the country will need to acquire at least 15 new squadrons over the next 14 years, which the early retirement of its MiG-27 strike fighter squadrons at the end of 2019 made this a more difficult task. Alongside production of the Tejas lightweight fighter - one of the smallest combat jets in production anywhere in the world which has a low operational cost meaning it is affordable to field in multiple squadrons - the MiG-35 has long been expected to be a leading potential choice for the Indian Air Force. The MiG-35 uses much of the same maintenance infrastructure and is compatible with all the same weaponry as the MiG-29, of which India currently fields over 100 with further orders placed in 2019 an 2020. The new fighter is prized for its low operational costs and maintenance requirements, which make it easy and affordable to field in large numbers, and boasts highly sophisticated ‘4++ generation’ capabilities. These include an AESA radar, next generation avionics and electronic warfare systems, limited applications of artificial intelligence, laser weapons, and access to a new generation of cruise and air to air missiles. The MiG-35 enjoys a comfortable performance advantage over any fighter in the Pakistani Air Force, and is on par with advanced new Chinese fighters such as the J-10C. Russia’s willingness to allow India to manufacture the fighter under license, to customise the fighter specifically for India’s requirements, and to provide technology transfers to accompany the sale, led the MiG-35 to be considered the leading contender for an Indian acquisition of new fighters. The MiG-35 and Tejas between them can potentially meet the majority of India’s needs for new fighter squadrons - although acquisition of other fighter classes including the much higher end and more expensive Su-57 heavyweight fighter are expected in order to further expand the fleet. Further indigenous fighter classes are also expected to be developed in future following on from the Tejas, although these are still heavily reliant on foreign technologies including at present American engines and Israeli avionics and electronic warfare systems.