This Word Means: Fifth-generation fighter
This comes a year after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the project to design and develop AMCA, and just weeks after India and Pakistan tested each other's air power in a series of aerial exchanges during Operation Sindoor.
What does 'generation' mean?
Military analysts and aviation enthusiasts use the term 'generation' as a heuristic device to categorise fighter jets based on how technologically advanced they are. Put simply, each new generation of fighter jet comes with one or more significant leaps in technology that cannot be incorporated into aircraft of the previous generation through upgrades and retrospective fit-outs.
Note that there is no standard definition of what constitutes a 'generation', and not all aircraft of the same generation are equal. Moreover, the measure of a country's air capabilities does not rest solely on what generation of fighter jets it possesses.
What is a fifth-generation fighter?
These are the most advanced fighter aircraft in operation today. Distinctive features include:
In aviation, 'stealth' refers to an aircraft's ability to be invisible to detection by radars. Fifth-generation aircraft are built using composite materials, use radar absorbent paints, and incorporate stealthy designs which do not return radar signals to enemy receivers.
Being invisible to radar only works as long as an aircraft can also inflict damage to the enemy from afar. Fifth-generation jets differentiate themselves with their beyond-visual-range (BVR) capabilities, meaning they can identify and shoot down adversaries before even their presence becomes known.
Fifth-generation fighters boast modern computers and onboard software, which help automate or semi-automate many functions, and process battlefield information at a very advanced level. These include network capabilities (the ability of multiple aircraft to act seamlessly as one, like a hive mind), and advanced integrated avionics.
At the moment, only the US (F-22 and F-35), Russia (Sukhoi Su-57), and China (Chengdu J-20) have developed operational fifth-generation aircraft.
What do we know about AMCA?
AMCA will be India's indigenous fifth-generation fighter. It is currently being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Since AMCA does not even have a working prototype at the moment, not much can be said about its features beyond the fact that it will be a stealthy, 25-tonne twin engine fighter jet, with a small radar cross-section and powerful sensors and new weapons. It will likely take at least another 10 years for the aircraft to be developed.
Discussions for developing the AMCA started in 2007. The initial plan was to jointly develop the aircraft with Russia under a Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) programme. However, India withdrew from the FGFA project in 2018.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
41 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Gem Aromatics IPO: Company sets price band at Rs 309-325 per share. Check issue timeline, GMP, other details
Gem Aromatics Limited, whose initial public offering (IPO) will open for subscription on Tuesday, August 19, has fixed the price band at Rs 309-325 per equity share. The Rs 451 crore IPO is a mix of fresh issue of shares up to Rs 175 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) up to 85 lakh equity shares where promoters and investors are selling shareholders. ADVERTISEMENT The three-day IPO will end on August 21 and investors can bid for a minimum of 46 equity shares and in multiples of 46 equity shares thereafter. The offer is being made through the book-building process, where up to 50% of the net offer will be available for allocation to the qualified institutional buyers (QIBs), up to 15% for non-institutional investors (NIIs) and up to 35% for retail individual bidders. Gem Aromatics is a manufacturer of specialty ingredients, including essential oils, aroma chemicals and value-added derivatives in India with a track record of over two decades. It offers a diversified portfolio of products, ranging from the mother ingredients to its various Value-Added Derivatives. Its products find application across a broad spectrum of industries, such as, oral care, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, wellness and pain management and personal care. Citing F&S report, the company's Red Herring Prospectus (RHP) claimed that in FY25, it is one of the largest procurers of piperita oil and one of the largest processors of DMO, Clove oil, Eugenol and Eucalyptus Oil in terms of volume manufactured. Its has business relationships with several domestic and global corporate customers such as, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited, Dabur India Limited, Patanjali Ayurved Limited, SH Kelkar and Company Limited and Rossari Biotech. ADVERTISEMENT Gem Aromatics operates three manufacturing facilities located in Budaun in Uttar Pradesh , Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Dahej, Gujarat. Unlock 500+ Stock Recos on App Gem Aromatics' revenue from operations increased by 11.38% to Rs 503.95 crore in fiscal 2025 from Rs 452.45 crore in fiscal 2024, primarily due to an increase in sale of products, other operating revenues. Profit for the year increased by 6.55% to Rs 53.38 crore for fiscal 2025 from Rs 50.10 crore for fiscal 2024. ADVERTISEMENT Motilal Oswal Investment Advisors Limited is the sole book-running lead manager, and KFin Technologies Limited is the registrar to the allotment of shares is expected on August 22, Friday while initiation of funds and credit of shares in the demat accounts on August 25. The listing is likely to happen on Tuesday, August 26. ADVERTISEMENT The GMP or grey market premium for Gem Aromatics IPO has not started yet. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times) (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel)
India.com
41 minutes ago
- India.com
Independence Day Alert: Indian Army Strengthens LoC Security In J&K After Recent Anti-Terror Ops
Being the first Independence Day after India launched Operation Sindoor just days away, the Indian Army across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir has intensified patrolling and vigil. Zee News reports that the Indian Army is maintaining vigilant patrolling and surveillance from the last post of the Line of Control in the Hajipeer sector. This post was actively involved in Operation Sindoor and is located in the area where one of nine terror camps was destroyed by India during the 25-minute operation on the night of May 7. The Army is now also using upgraded weaponry and advanced surveillance equipment to prevent infiltration attempts and monitor movements across the border. Soldiers deployed along the LoC are armed with Russian-made AK-47 rifles, US-made Sig 716 assault rifles, and the Indian-made AK-203 is a modern assault weapon being produced in India following a 2021 agreement with Russia. The AK-203, officials said, is part of efforts to enhance self-reliance in defense manufacturing while equipping troops with state-of-the-art firepower. The AK-203 is a modern AK-series assault rifle chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge. It is made in India with the help of Russia, making India 'Atmanirbhar.' This modern assault rifle can fire 700 rounds per minute with a range of 400–800 meters, depending on sight adjustments. The AK-203 features a folding, adjustable polymer stock, a redesigned fire selector/safety switch, and an ergonomic pistol grip for improved handling. Integrated rails on the dust cover and handguard allow for mounting optics, night vision, thermal scopes, tactical lights, and other accessories, enhancing versatility. The AK-203, nicknamed 'Sher,' is replacing the INSAS rifle in the Indian Army, offering superior penetration and reliability for open-field and mountainous warfare. Compared to the AK-47, the AK-203 is lighter (3.8 kg vs. 4.3 kg), more modular, and has enhanced accuracy due to improved sights and barrel design. The Indian Army, the second-largest standing army in the world with approximately 1.5 million active personnel, is continuously modernising its small arms inventory. The American-made SIG SAUER's SIG716 is a modern assault rifle adopted by the Indian Army as part of its latest small arms inventory. The SIG716 equips frontline troops facing heightened tensions along the LAC and LoC, boosting morale and combat effectiveness. The rifle was primarily deployed in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh amid high tensions with Pakistan and China. The 7.62×51mm bullet provides superior power for counter-insurgency operations and engagements in open terrains like the LoC, ensuring a higher probability of neutralising enemies with a single shot. It has a range of up to 400–800 meters and requires less maintenance, ensuring consistent performance in dusty, muddy, or high-altitude environments. Soldiers have provided 'phenomenal feedback' on its reliability. The assault rifle was one of the small arms used in Operation Sindoor. The adoption of the Finland-made Sako TRG-42 sniper rifle has enhanced the operational capabilities of the Indian Army, particularly along the LoC. The rifle, chambered for the .338 cartridge with an effective range of 1,500 meters, has significantly improved the Army's ability to engage targets at longer distances compared to older rifles. The Sako TRG-42's exceptional accuracy and precision are crucial for snipers, especially in challenging terrains like the mountainous regions along the LoC. The integration of modern telescopic sights, adaptable mounting systems, and compatibility with advanced night vision and thermal sights provides a significant technological edge over adversaries. During Operation Sindoor, to target alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Sako TRG-42 sniper rifle was among the weaponry utilised by the Indian Army and played a crucial role. A sniper gun is usually operated by one soldier, but in prolonged ambushes, two soldiers are deployed per sniper. In the Hajipeer sector, two snipers were fixed to target enemy movements, with soldiers remaining in ambush for 48 hours without a break. In addition to small arms, patrolling units are making extensive use of Trinetra drones, named after the Sanskrit term for 'third eye,' to monitor rugged terrain and suspected infiltration routes. The drones are equipped with GPS-based night flight capabilities, strobing lights in both visible and infrared wavelengths, and a dual-sensor payload. Their adaptive scanning technology enables ultra-high-resolution 3D mapping, giving troops a detailed view of terrain features and potential threats even in low-visibility conditions. The drones can generate ultra-high-resolution 3D models and maps of terrain, providing troops with a detailed understanding of the environment and possible threats. They were used at the Pahalgam attack site for 3D mapping and also in Operation Sindoor to track enemy movements. Among the drones with the Indian Army, this is one of the latest additions to its surveillance arsenal. Zee News reached the Army's last post at an altitude of around 9,800 feet in north Kashmir's Baramulla district in the Hajipeer sector. This strategic post, officials revealed, played a role in destroying a terror launchpad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir earlier in Operation Sindoor. The camp destroyed in the area was the Shawani/Hathlanga Nala camp in the Baag area of Muzaffarabad, approximately 30 km from the Line of Control. Soldiers at this post also took part in retaliatory operations after Operation Sindoor when Pakistan attacked two areas in Kashmir — Uri and Kupwara. In the Uri sector, this post used air defence (AD) guns, artillery guns, rocket launchers, and sniper rifles to hit Pakistani posts across the border. It also played a key role in bringing down bulk surveillance drones sent by Pakistan. Soldiers posted at high-altitude locations do not always engage in active operations, but to keep them fit and ready, daily firing practice is mandatory for every soldier posted there. This constant training contributes to their safety and overall effectiveness, providing realistic combat scenarios and helping them develop the skills and confidence needed in real operations. This post is strategically significant as it overlooks a key section of the LoC, making it critical for both surveillance and swift response. Security agencies say both vigil and patrolling have been enhanced as precision operations under Operation Sindoor are still ongoing. With Independence Day approaching on August 15, troop presence has been increased at vulnerable stretches, and surveillance flights along the LoC are being conducted more frequently both day and night along with doubled human patrolling. Despite the challenges and harsh conditions of the area, soldiers remain energetic and committed, having pledged to keep the tricolour flying high in every circumstance. If you want, I can now make a shorter, more engaging news version of this long piece without losing key details. That would make it punchier for publication.
Indian Express
41 minutes ago
- Indian Express
When Indian government, British intelligence and the CIA joined hands to spy on communists in Kerala
Written by Paul McGarr In June, a British F-35B Lightning II stealth fighter arrived unexpectedly in Kerala. The aircraft was forced into an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport after being surprised by adverse weather while taking part in joint training exercises with the Indian Navy. The fighter, which operated from the British carrier HMS Prince of Wales, became an overnight media sensation. After engineering issues kept the aircraft grounded for several weeks, it came to represent a publicity opportunity that was simply too good to miss. Kerala Tourism took delight in referencing the stranded fighter in its social media posts. 'Kerala, the destination you never want to leave,' the Tourism Office's X account quipped. The prolonged presence of a state-of-the-art $115 million foreign stealth fighter on Indian soil generated plenty of public interest. In response, Britain's High Commission in New Delhi and India's Ministry of Defence maintained a firm, 'no comment'. The episode was not, in fact, the first time that the governments of India and Britain had worked together in the shadows to obscure a UK covert presence in Kerala. Back in 1957, administrations in Britain and the United States reacted with dismay when the Communist Party of India (CPI) claimed victory in Kerala's Legislative Assembly election. Coming at the height of the Cold War, the advent of the world's first democratically elected communist government in southern India sent shockwaves through Washington and Whitehall. Historians have previously documented the secret activity undertaken by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), in conjunction with India's Congress government, to subvert the CPI's grip on Kerala. As the Indian Embassy in Washington reported back to South Block, the US State Department was stunned that India's communists had broken new ground by seizing power via the ballot box rather than the bullet. America simply was not prepared to let the CPI's victory stand. Having concluded that neither the Congress in Kerala nor the central Congress government back in New Delhi had a clear or workable plan to remove the CPI from office, the Eisenhower administration in Washington instructed the CIA to initiate a covert operation to end communist rule in Kerala. Between 1957 and 1959, by secretly channelling funds through Congress Party officials and anti-communist labour leaders, including S K Patil in the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, the CIA whipped up industrial unrest and political turmoil in Kerala. In July 1959, amidst scenes of mounting violence and disorder, the CPI government was dismissed from office under an executive order issued by India's President. The US Ambassador in India, Ellsworth Bunker, justified the CIA covert operation on the basis that his embassy had been in possession of hard evidence that the Soviets were funding local communist groups in Kerala. Presenting the CIA's actions as measured and defensive, Bunker confirmed that in India, as he claimed America had done elsewhere in the world since 1945, Washington had merely come to the assistance of friends when it became apparent communists were seeking to subvert democracy. Given the widespread public suspicion and concern that surrounded the CIA's own activities in India, the Congress Party's willingness to work covertly with the CIA was reflective of its anxiety that the CPI in Kerala would function as a Soviet puppet. In April 1957, B N Mullik, the chief of the Intelligence Bureau, presented India's Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, with an intelligence report indicating that senior members of the CPI Politburo were planning to visit Moscow to consult with the Soviets on how a communist government in Kerala should be run. Alarmed by the prospect of such blatant external interference in India's domestic affairs, Nehru summoned the Soviet ambassador, Mikhail Menshikov, to the Ministry of External Affairs and warned Moscow against meddling in Kerala. Until now, much less has been known about Britain's secret involvement in Kerala. London's man-on-the-spot, the British High Commissioner, Malcolm MacDonald, shared his American colleague's anxieties about the CPI. With Kerala being openly referred to as, 'The Indian Yenan', the veteran British diplomat insisted that, if left unchallenged, the CPI would exploit the state as a global shop window to showcase the benefits of communism and generate a political momentum that the Congress Party might find impossible to stop. Persuaded by MacDonald's analysis, Whitehall launched a parallel British Special Political Action, or clandestine operation, that ran alongside American covert activity and was similarly designed to undercut the CPI. Recently released records at the United Kingdom National Archives in London, part of a British Cabinet Office series covering 'Communism in India', have revealed how the Conservative government of Harold Macmillan actively and surreptitiously interfered in Indian domestic politics. Encompassing collaboration between the British Secret Intelligence Service (MI6), the UK Security Service (MI5), and India's Intelligence Bureau (IB), the British plan centred on bringing senior Congress Party officials and Indian Trade Union leaders to the United Kingdom. Once in the UK, the Indians were to be schooled in the dangers of communism and trained in covert methods of fighting elections and running unions against Communist opposition. In 1958, the British received a green light for the joint operation from B N Mullik. Winning Indian political approval, and that of India's Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, was another matter. A direct approach to Nehru through his private secretary, M O Mathai, was considered by the British too risky. Instead, the Commonwealth Secretary, Lord Home, was dispatched to New Delhi on a secret mission to secure Indian government support for a collaborative covert operation targeting the CPI in Kerala. Having met Govind Ballabh Pant, India's Minister for Home Affairs, Morarji Desai, the Union Finance Minister, and Nehru himself, Lord Home reported back to London that Pant and Desai were firmly in favour. Nehru proved less enthusiastic. The Indian premier did, however, concede that it would be useful for the Indian government to be able to call on UK intelligence assistance in certain circumstances. Britain's Cabinet Secretary, Sir Norman Brook, reacted with delight. Lord Home's hush-hush mission to India was deemed a success. In Brook's judgment, Macmillan's government could not have hoped for a better outcome. B N Mullik later confirmed to Roger Hollis, Director-General of MI5, that Pant had imparted new drive into anti-Communist intelligence operations following the British intervention. The Home Minister had, Hollis was informed, authorised the infiltration of security personnel into the Indian National Trade Union Congress. In the wake of Pant's activism, Hollis and Mullik put in place an arrangement that saw Indian security officers and political organisers dispatched to London for anti-communist indoctrination and operational training under MI5's supervision, as originally planned. Indian graduates of the MI5 anti-subversion course were subsequently sent back into southern India where they put their new skills to use. Newly declassified British government documents have revealed significant details about Whitehall's shadowy involvement in covert action in India at a pivotal moment in the nation's political history. They cast important light on the complex system of cooperation and competition that characterised Western intelligence interactions with India during the Cold War. As more recent intelligence revelations involving India, the United States, and Canada have demonstrated, pragmatic security considerations can collide with domestic political imperatives in interesting and unexpected ways. The writer is a lecturer in intelligence studies at King's College London. He is the author of two monographs, The Cold War in South Asia: Britain, the United States and the Indian Subcontinent, 1945-1965 (Cambridge University Press, 2013) and Spying in South Asia: Britain, the United States and India's Secret Cold War (Cambridge University Press, 2024)
