Sadly, that means only option is to get F-35, which I hate now because Trump administration is a bunch of cuckoos and next government is going to be even more cuckoo, just on left side of political spectrum...
I wonder what India was doing all these years.
Nope. Not the F-35 either.
It hasn't yet achieved FOC. It will get to the TR-3 standards by the end of 2026, if they stick to it. It's a computer upgrade that will enable the use of Block 3F and 4 technologies. Then, over the next 5 years, they will slowly flight test and unlock Block 4 technologies. In order to use all old and new B4 capabilities, the engine needs to be upgraded too. P&W expects it to happen in 2029 while GAO says 2032. Even if we give LM the benefit of the doubt, we can assume the F-35 will achieve its original 2019 FOC standards only by 2030-32.
Post that the IAF can check the F-35, figure out how it fits into their system, and then request the US via an LOR, which will then take about 2 years as it goes through the US Congress. Once approved, we can begin negotiations and sign a contract, the overall process taking as much as 4-5 years in total.
After a contract is signed, after 4-5 years we will get the first jet, 'cause it will have to go through R&D for the IAF's needs.
So, if we start the process in 2030, we will get the first jet around 2040.
Neither jet is realistic.
The IAF's plan is LCA (2030s), MRFA (2030s), and AMCA (2040s). There's a plan for a next gen fighter (2060s) and/or AMCA NG (early 2050s). So we already have a plan set which will start delivering jets from 2030-70, with a new jet every decade. 2025 if we include Mk1A.
As for stealth, Su-57 and F-35 are stealthy in higher bands, it's not sufficient. In order to penetrate enemy defenses, we need the 6th gen Ghatak (2035+) with all-round stealth. In the meantime, LCA and MRFA will be sufficient to protect our airspace.