Rafale, F-35, Su-30MKI May Be Outclassed; DRDO Developing 6th-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet
Last Updated:
Under AMCA Mark-2, DRDO's GTRE will develop a 120 kN indigenous engine with 6th-gen capabilities, possibly in partnership with firms like Rolls-Royce, Safran or GE
India has unveiled its ambitious plans for the development of sixth-generation fighter jets under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, weeks after the precision strikes carried out under Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has initiated work on two fighter jets named AMCA Mark-1 and AMCA Mark-2. While AMCA Mark-1 aims to address the shortage of the current generation of aircraft, the AMCA Mark-2 will showcase advanced sixth-generation capabilities, relying entirely on indigenous technology.
Currently, the IAF primarily operates 4.5-generation fighter jets like the Rafale and Su-30MKI. With China deploying its J-20 fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft near the Indian border, the need for ultra-modern aircraft in India has become apparent. Reports suggest that China may provide Pakistan with fifth-generation aircraft, highlighting the urgency for India to bolster its fleet.
India's requirement stands at 42 to 43 fighter jet squadrons, whereas it presently maintains only 30 squadrons, necessitating an addition of 200 to 300 aircraft. The AMCA project addresses this gap, with deliveries expected soon.
These jets will initially be powered by General Electric's F414 engine, though delays from the American supplier have set the programme back by a year. At the same time, AMCA Mark-2 is likely to feature engines developed using indigenous technology, with several companies competing for the project.
AMCA Mark-1 will cater to the current requirements of the Indian Air Force and will be powered by an engine supplied by American defence company GE. In contrast, AMCA Mark-2 will feature a fighter engine developed by DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) using indigenous technology.
120 kN Engine
According to reports, under Mark-2, DRDO's GTRE will develop a sixth-generation-enabled 120 kN indigenous engine. For this, a contract may be signed with foreign partners like Rolls-Royce, Safran, or General Electric.
An engine with a capacity of 100 kN generates around 22,500 pounds of thrust (over 10,000 kilograms). In such a scenario, the power of a 120 kN (kilonewton) engine becomes evident. This engine can deliver up to 30 percent more range and 20 percent more acceleration.
As a result, the strike capability and speed of a jet equipped with a 120 kN engine are significantly enhanced. This is one of the key reasons fifth-generation fighter jets are difficult to detect on radar. Sixth-generation aircraft, with even more advanced features, could prove to be even more lethal and devastating for enemies.
6th Generation Technology
Apart from the engine, many other components in a fighter jet play a crucial role. According to reports, sixth-generation technology will also be incorporated into the sixth-generation fighter jet. The most notable feature is the AI-based combat system, which makes these jets more dangerous and lethal.
Human intervention will be significantly reduced in sixth-generation aircraft, as they will be equipped with optional manned technology. Additionally, they will have the capability to control UAVs (drones).
In these jets, a single pilot will be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This will not only save time but also provide a strategic edge in defeating enemies.
Stealth Power
Mark-2 will have significantly enhanced stealth capability, that is, the ability to evade radar detection. Various components, including the materials used in the jet, will be upgraded and updated under the Mark-2 program. A cutting-edge sensor fusion system will also be integrated to further boost its stealth features.
The use of a 120 kN engine combined with optimized airflow will make the aircraft more advanced. Additionally, supersonic technology will be incorporated into its design.
According to experts, with the development of the Mark-2 aircraft, India will not only strengthen its defence capabilities but also establish a strong presence in the international market. This is expected to open up new avenues and contribute to revenue generation.
First Published:
June 11, 2025, 11:34 IST
News india Rafale, F-35, Su-30MKI May Be Outclassed; DRDO Developing 6th-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 minutes ago
- Time of India
UAE firm introduces long-lasting meals designed to be eaten up to 25 years later
All meals are halal-certified and crafted to retain flavor and nutrition for 25 years/ Image: RedPlanet In a groundbreaking development for food security and emergency preparedness, a UAE-based company, Red Planet, is introducing ready-to-eat meals that can remain consumable for up to 25 years. These ultra-long shelf-life meals are made possible by cutting-edge freeze-drying technology that retains taste, nutrition, and safety, all without artificial preservatives or refrigeration. The process, as explained by Jassim Al Nowais, CEO of Red Planet, involves removing more than 95 per cent of moisture from the food in a carefully controlled environment. 'We start by removing moisture from the food in a controlled environment, which helps retain its original taste, texture, and, most importantly, nutritional value,' said Al Nowais. 'From there, we seal it in multi-layered, oxygen-absorbing packaging that protects against light, air, and moisture. This ensures the product stays safe, fresh, and nutritious for up to 25 years, without refrigeration or preservatives. ' More Than Shelf Life: A Commitment to Food Security Though the products have not yet reached UAE retail shelves, Red Planet has already completed a fully developed menu and is targeting critical sectors including: Humanitarian aid organisations Armed forces Space agencies Government institutions Al Nowais emphasized the broader mission behind the technology: 'We don't just focus on extending shelf life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo For us, food security is about more than storing something for emergencies — it's about having access to reliable, nutritious food that people would actually want to eat, whether it's five, ten, or even twenty-five years from now,' he said. While retail availability is in the pipeline, Red Planet has been actively promoting its innovation to strategic partners and global stakeholders. Most recently, it participated in the Saudi Food Show 2025, held from May 12 to 14 in Riyadh, where the company showcased how its solutions contribute to sustainability, emergency preparedness, and long-term nourishment across the region. Diverse, Halal-Certified Menu with Local Flavour Red Planet's offerings are both diverse and culturally conscious. The firm provides a mix of local Emirati dishes and international favourites, all of which are halal-certified. Their ready-to-eat menu includes: Chicken biryani Meat machboos Balaleet with eggs Scrambled eggs Pasta with minced meat Vegetable rice Each recipe is engineered to maintain its original flavour and nutritional profile even in extreme conditions. 'We're not just offering variety for the sake of it. Every dish is carefully crafted to retain its flavour, texture, and nutritional content, even in the harshest environments,' Al Nowais said. 'To us, food is more than fuel, it's a source of comfort, a reminder of home, and a key element of resilience.' Looking Ahead: Approvals and Retail Launch Red Planet is currently in the final stages of obtaining regulatory approvals in the UAE, a crucial step before products reach store shelves. 'This isn't just a formality, it's a core part of our promise to deliver food that's not only safe and high-quality, but also trusted by the communities and institutions we serve,' said Al Nowais. 'I personally oversee this part of the process because it matters deeply to us.' Once the green light is received from regulators, consumers in the UAE can expect to see Red Planet meals available for retail purchase, marking a major step in accessible, long-lasting, and high-quality food security solutions made in the UAE.
Mint
17 minutes ago
- Mint
Boeing crash rips up 787's safety record
The crash of an Air India flight to London upends the safety record of one of Boeing's bestselling jets, dealing a fresh blow to the beleaguered U.S. plane maker that has been mired by safety and production issues in recent years. The Boeing 787-8 jet, carrying 242 people, stopped transmitting its location less than a minute after taking off Thursday from an airport in western India, according to flight-tracking website Flightradar24. The aircraft reached an altitude of 625 feet before falling from the sky, the data show. It isn't yet clear what caused the plane to crash. Accidents can be caused by multiple factors, spanning potential errors made by flight crew to manufacturing and design faults. 'We are in contact with Air India regarding Flight 171 and stand ready to support them. Our thoughts are with the passengers, crew, first responders and all affected," Boeing said in a statement. The company's stock fell nearly 8% in premarket trading Thursday. The incident comes at a critical moment for the hobbled American icon, which has been buffeted by a succession of crises in recent years, losing billions of dollars due to plane groundings and production delays. Thursday's crash could raise fresh questions about Boeing just as it begins to emerge from the fallout of a high-profile incident early last year when a door plug on a recently delivered 737 MAX fell off during a flight. That incident led to the ouster of the company's chief executive and reignited major scrutiny over its safety culture and production mishaps across its factories. Since then, the jet maker has suffered massive financial losses and production delays as it weeds out manufacturing glitches and tries to satisfy the concerns of the Federal Aviation Administration. The aircraft involved in Thursday's crash wasn't a new delivery. The plane first entered service in 2014, according to Flightradar24 records. Before Thursday's crash, the 787, launched in late 2011, had one of the cleanest safety records in commercial aviation, with zero recorded fatalities, according to the Aviation Safety Network's database. The so-called Dreamliner is one of Boeing's bestselling aircraft, with the company so far delivering close to 1,200 of the jets to customers. It got its name after a public naming competition that elicited about half a million votes. Still, the 787 has faced a number of production setbacks. It suffered from early supply-chain issues and then battery fires that led air-safety regulators to ground the 787 fleet for a few months in 2013. Boeing also had to pause deliveries of the aircraft for almost two years because of quality-control problems. More recently, Boeing has ramped up 787 production and executives have said the company's manufacturing operations have improved. That came after Boeing slowed production, stepped up employee training and improved manufacturing processes. Boeing Chief Executive Kelly Ortberg, who took over in August, has told employees that the company is on a fragile path to recovery and can't afford another mistake. Write to Benjamin Katz at and Sharon Terlep at
Mint
25 minutes ago
- Mint
P&G Hygiene sees rebound in rural demand, but urban stress persists
New Delhi: Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care Ltd (PGHH), the maker of Whisper, Vicks, and Old Spice, is seeing a steady revival in rural consumption, even as urban demand remains under pressure. This divergence in consumer sentiment is likely to influence near-term growth in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, a top company executive said on Thursday. "Demand in the FMCG, industry continues to evolve. While the non-food inflation continues to stay below RBI's (Reserve Bank of India's) medium-term target of 4%, consumption trends are still shifting,' said Mrinalini Srinivasan, chief financial officer, PGHH, during the company's virtual analyst day. With a good monsoon last year and rural wages picking up, rural demand is showing signs of healthy recovery. 'Urban demand is not following the same trend. On the contrary, urban India continues to face financial challenges. While the government has announced interventions in the budget, we expect the impact of these on urban consumption to take some time,' she said. In the near term, some of the challenges are expected to continue, Srinivasan said while maintaining a "cautiously optimistic" outlook for the future. With the steady government and private investment and positive economic indicators, there surely are reasons to be optimistic, she said. "But one must keep an eye on the evolving global trade policies, which will have an impact on inflation and potentially demand,' Srinivasan added. "However, we remain confident in the dynamic and integrated nature of our strategy to help us navigate the difficulties and continue to serve and delight consumers and to drive sustained, balanced results FMCG volumes grew 4% in the 12 months ended 31 March, per researcher Kantar. For the nine months ended 31 March 2025, the company reported net sales of ₹ 3,374 crore, a 3% increase compared to the corresponding nine-month period. Profit after tax reached ₹ 636 crore, up 7% over the same period. This nine-month reporting period is a result of the company's transition to a new fiscal year calendar, from its previous 1 July to 30 June cycle. Procter & Gamble, the Indian subsidiary of the American multinational consumer goods giant, operates through various entities in India, offering a wide range of products including shampoo (Head & Shoulders), detergents (Ariel), baby care (Pampers), and home care (Ambi Pur). Its Indian operations also include two major listed companies: Gillette India (male and female grooming) and PGHH (female hygiene and healthcare). During the last fiscal year, PGHH reported "balanced" growth across both the feminine hygiene and cough and cold segments, alongside one of its strongest innovation pipelines in recent years. PGHH holds half the market share for branded women's hygiene products in India, selling sanitary napkins under the Whisper brand. "This has been possible because our focus has actually been to grow and build the category, and that's what we will continue to focus on. We cannot comment on the future launches and plans. We still have significant opportunities for growth, both on consumption and innovation in the categories we play,' she said. The company has been intensifying its cost-cutting efforts and implementing greater productivity measures, particularly in response to high raw material costs. 'Specifically last year, through our productivity interventions, PGHH achieved savings of over ₹ 93 crores. That is the fuel that allows us to reinvest in superiority across the five vectors and stay ahead of what consumers want,' said Kumar Venkatasubramanian, CEO, PGHH. Srinivasan noted that structural margins have improved significantly, despite mid-single-digit inflation in raw materials and manpower, and increased ad spends. "…we have still been able to improve our net margin by about 60 basis points, driven by our deliberate efforts on productivity across all cost buckets, as well as innovation in the premium segments to enable consumers to trade up in line with their aspirations,' she explained. The company, which also sells male grooming products under the Old Spice brand, said has expanded its distribution network by adding one million stores in the last three years.
