What makes 5th generation fighter jets special? Why is the world chasing for these jets? All about stealth technology which makes it dangerous
New Delhi: The discussions around the fifth-generation fighter jets have intensified after the recent military confrontation between India and Pakistan. It is important to note that at present neither India nor Pakistan possesses the fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. Only three countries in the world—the United States, Russia, and China—have such fighter aircraft, known for their superior speed, strike capabilities, and advanced radar systems.
Pakistan is reportedly planning to acquire the J-35A jet from China by 2029. The J-35A jet is a fifth-generation combat aircraft. On the other hand, China already possesses such fighter jets, which is a major concern for India.
India is also preparing to give a fitting response to both Pakistan and China by initiating the development of its own fifth-generation combat aircraft. To fulfill this requirement, India is working on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and its design has already been finalized.
The Indian Air Force already operates the Rafale, a 4.5 generation fighter jet. So let's understand what makes the stealth technology of fifth-generation fighter jets so special. Here are some of the key details: The United States, Russia, and China have already developed fifth-generation fighter jets.
The United States has fifth-generation fighter jets like the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Russia has the Sukhoi Su-37 Felon
China possesses a fifth-generation fighter jet called the J-20 Mighty Dragon.
If India wants to stay competitive in this race, it must also include fifth-generation fighter jets in its Air Force fleet.
The biggest feature of fifth-generation fighter jets is their stealth technology. This technology allows these aircraft to stay hidden from radar detection. Thanks to this technology, fifth-generation jets can evade radar. These planes are specially designed so that radar signals bounce off them in different directions, confusing the enemy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
India Eyes Deadliest Missile Yet: Meet R-37M That Can Obliterate Pakistan's AWACS, F-16s Before They Even Fire
New Delhi: In the escalating arms race post-Operation Sindoor, India may be acquiring a game-changing weapon that could rewrite South Asia's air warfare equation. It is Russian R-37M missile, a long-range air-to-air beast so fast and deadly that even the United States and China are known to shudder at its capabilities. Russia is said to have offered India to supply the R-37M and license its production on Indian soil. If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain a powerful edge over adversaries such as China and Pakistan in high-stakes aerial confrontations. The R-37M is considered to be a nightmare for Pakistan's F-16s and AWACS. It is not only a missile but also a jet killer. Built to destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range (BVR), it can take down Pakistan's prized F-16s and AWACS surveillance aircraft before they even detect an Indian fighter jet. With speeds of up to Mach 6, six times the speed of sound, the R-37M can strike targets more than 300 kilometers away. Its mid-flight target switch capability and active radar guidance system make it almost impossible to dodge, even for highly maneuverable jets. 'It's not a missile but an airborne predator. It allows India to destroy enemy aircraft without ever entering their strike zone. That flips the entire doctrine of air combat,' said a senior defense analyst. At present, the IAF deploys R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI jets. But the R-37M could replace the R-77 entirely, offering a dramatic leap in range, speed and precision. Designed originally to target U.S. AWACS and refueling aircraft, the R-37M's induction into India's arsenal would render Pakistan's air surveillance systems deeply vulnerable. Russia is reportedly willing to share production technology, allowing India to manufacture the missile domestically – a huge win for India's 'Make in India' defense ambitions. Built for the kill, let's know the R-37M by the numbers: speed – Up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h); range – estimated 300-400 km; weight – 510 kg, length – over four metres; warhead – 60 kg high-explosive; designation – NATO calls it the AA-13 Axehead; and targets – fighter jets, AWACS, drones and tanker aircraft. Unlike older systems, the R-37M does not need visual confirmation. It can lock onto targets far outside the enemy's radar or weapon range, hitting them from the safety of stand-off distances. For Indian pilots, this means striking first from far and never being seen. R-37M Can Strike Across LoC The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is heavily reliant on U.S.-made F-16s, which are considered its crown jewel. But defense experts warn that with the R-37M in play, India could shoot them down from across the Line of Control (LoC) before they even know what hit them. 'The R-37M neutralises Pakistan's aerial advantage. If deployed, this missile makes any cross-border intrusion suicidal for enemy jets,' said a retired Air Marshal. As India's defense modernisation accelerates in the wake geopolitical tensions simmer, the R-37M could soon be a centerpiece of the country's air dominance strategy – one that might keep adversaries awake at night.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Cross party pressure mounts on U.K. support for Israel as Corbyn introduces bill for inquiry
Pressure is mounting on the U.K. government of Keir Starmer to take a stronger position against Israel's actions in Gaza and this was on full display on Wednesday (June 4, 2025), with MPs, including those from the governing Labour Party, quizzing the government on its positions and accusing the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu of genocide. International Red Cross president Mirjana Spoljaric told the BBC that the situation in Gaza had become 'worse' than 'hell on earth'. Independent U.K. MP and former Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn introduced a bill in the U.K. House of Commons on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) afternoon , seeking an independent inquiry into the U.K.'s role in the conflict and its support for Israel. Another MP, from Labour, said there was 'extreme disquiet and unease' with government positions on the conflict. Also Read | Western countries condemn expansion of Israeli operations in Gaza Specifically, one of the concerns is that British equipment for F-35 jets are finding their way into Israeli planes that are used in committing acts contrary to international humanitarian law. In September 2024, the U.K. government had suspended around 30 arms licenses (out of approximately 350) to Israel over such concerns. Some of the other demands voiced in the British Parliament on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) were for the U.K. government to speed up the recognition of a Palestinian state, to term Israel's actions 'genocide' and for Downing Street to apply sanctions against certain Israeli government ministers adopting extreme positions. Last month the Starmer government announced it was suspending trade talks with Israel and had sanctioned some Israeli settlers in the West Bank. Under pressure from his own party and others to stop arms exports to Israel, U.K. Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer was grilled in the House of Commons on Wednesday (June 4, 2025), when he insisted that the government was being transparent about arms licenses. 'Desperate civilians who have endured 20 months of war should never face the risk of death or injury to simply feed themselves and their families,' Mr Falconer said as he made a statement, in which he called Israel's blockade of food aid into Gaza 'inhumane'. The junior Minister also condemned Hamas, called for the release of hostages it had taken in October 2023 and said the group could have no role in the future governance of Gaza. On being asked whether the Starmer government believes that the Israel had engaged in genocide, the Minister said that it was the longstanding position that this was for a competent court to determine. 'Our grandchildren will ask why we effectively stood by whilst a people were eradicated by bombs, by bullets, by starvation and no doubt the further ethnic cleansing that is still to come,' Labour MP Paula Barker said. 'Over the past 18 months, human beings have endured a level of horror and inhumanity that should haunt us all forever,' Mr Corbyn said, as he introduced the bill, likening his proposed inquiry to the damming Chilcot Inquiry (2009-2016), which looked into Britain's role in the Iraq War. Among the questions Mr Corbyn wants the inquiry to answer is what U.K. arms were used in Gaza and the West Bank; what the U.K. government position was on the F-35 program coming into compliance with international law; what Royal Air Force Akrotiri (Cyprus), a base, was being used for; and what legal advice the government had received on the assessment of genocide.
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Sajad Lone accuses NC of 'only going after Kashmiris'
Srinagar, June 4 (UNI) J&K Peoples Conference President Sajad Lone on Wednesday lashed out at National Conference and its current administration, accusing them of targeting Kashmiris and running a system steeped in 'lies, inaction, and brazen corruption.' Addressing a press conference, Lone said the NC has no power to impact anyone except the common Kashmiri. 'They are going after the very people who voted for them. And those who didn't, they are being treated with callousness. This is exactly what we expected from them,' Lone remarked. He went on to cite rampant corruption and inefficiency in the current setup. 'We will begin collecting evidence, Insha'Allah. They have done no work till date—just lie after lie. Where is the government? What have they delivered to the people?' he questioned. Taking a swipe at the frequent official review meetings, he said, 'They've been holding these meetings for eons here—only to sip tea and eat kebabs. In our time, too, these review meetings meant nothing. Do you think Germany, Japan, UK or US became first-world nations through review meetings? It takes hard work, day and night, to build a nation.' He also raised concerns about the over-centralisation of power in the Chief Minister's office. 'The CM is handling 28 to 30 departments alone. Is he even human? If ministers can't be appointed out of fear or indecision, what is the point of being in power?' He criticised the system still being run by commissioner-secretaries as it was decades ago, asking, 'Why did people even vote if nothing was meant to change and ministers were only meant to stay busy with transfers?' On the recent demand by PDP for Kashmiri Pandit reservation in the Assembly, Lone supported the idea but questioned the timing and intent. 'Yes, Kashmiri Pandits must get political reservation. They are part of Kashmir and must not feel alienated. But why didn't PDP or Congress act when they were in power for 30-40 years? This selective remembrance of KP issues when out of power is hypocrisy. The same applies to human rights. Those who violated them now pretend to be their defenders — it's a cruel joke,' he said. UNI MJR SSP
