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India.com
5 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
India's Fighter Jet Crunch Nears Pakistan's Strength, Eyes China-Style Fix; Delhi Red Tape Slows Delivery
New Delhi/Beijing: India is moving steadily in the race for aerial dominance, but the path is tangled in old files and hard decisions. Across the Himalayas, China has already moved far ahead. It is building sixth-generation fighter jets. Its fifth-generation J-20 stealth aircraft is already deployed near India's borders. On its part, India is now accelerating work on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter being built indigenously. But questions persist inside Delhi's decision rooms. Should India buy America's F-35s or Russia's Su-57s as a stopgap until AMCA is ready? Can India afford to wait while China places advanced jets closer to Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh? The future of air combat is not what it used to be. Dogfights are being redefined by AI-assisted maneuvers, stealth coatings and sensor fusion. China's sixth-generation aircraft programme is already shaping future strategies, while India still deals with delays. AMCA might become outdated by the time it rolls out. A proposed AMCA Mk2 aims to match sixth-generation specs, but such leaps are easier drafted than delivered. China created a balance. It bought fewer jets but built its own steadily. A Parallel Beginning, Two Different Trajectories Both India and China began building their air forces in the 1950s. Neither had fighter manufacturing experience. Both looked toward the Soviets and the West for blueprints and engines. India launched the HF-24 Marut project in the 1960s. Designed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with help from German engineer Kurt Tank, it aimed to be India's first supersonic jet. It failed. The Marut could not break Mach 1.2. It lacked a powerful engine, and talks with Western suppliers broke down. Wars with China in 1962 and Pakistan in 1965 drained resources. The project received limited funding. Eventually, only 147 aircraft were built. The plan was shelved by the early 1980s. Meanwhile, China took another path. It imported Soviet MiGs but did not stop there. It reverse-engineered them. A copy of the MiG-19, the J-6 became China's early leap. By the mid-1960s, China had started producing over 4,000 units. India's Long Journey with LCA and HAL Tejas India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme began in 1983. It manufactured Tejas. The journey took nearly four decades. The first flight was in 2001. Initial operational clearance came only in 2020. Delays came from design changes, engine dependencies and institutional hurdles. The HAL lacked full control over components. Indigenous engine development, the Kaveri programme, was initiated in 1986, but still has not delivered an operational engine. China, in the same period, procured Russian Su-27s and Su-30s. It copied them. The J-11 and J-16 came next, each with advanced avionics, radar and Chinese-made engines. In 2017, Beijing inducted the J-20, its fifth-generation stealth fighter. It poured billions into engine R&D, failing at first but persisting. India, on the other hand, stayed stuck in paperwork. The China Factor and India's Crossroads By now, China is already flight-testing prototypes of sixth-generation fighters. India is still preparing a fifth-gen rollout. Experts warn that by the time AMCA enters service, its adversaries may have moved on. Still, there is hope. India has begun addressing key gaps. It has opened defence to private players, approved new budget lines and streamlined procurement. But speed remains critical. The R&D cannot be treated as a routine department file. It must be a national mission. India's choices in the next five years will decide its air power trajectory for the next 30. The skies are still open but not for long.
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Rs 4700000000000: Enemy has 1650 fighter jets, India has only 522; India needs huge money for..., will IAF be able to...
(File) In an environment which is political tensed and tensions continue to simmer across India's borders with China and Pakistan, various questions are being asked about the Indian Air Force's preparedness vis-à-vis India's two neighbours, Pakistan and China. According to various reports, China has 66 squadrons of fighter jets with each squadron having 18 to 20 planes each, taking the total number to 1200, which is nearly double the number of aircrafts 600 fighter aircrafts. Here are all the details you need to know about Indian Airforce's current capacity. Indian Airforce vs China and Pakistan Apart from China, India's enemy Pakistan has 25 squadrons of fighter jets having around 450 fighter jets. Therefore, if India retires the two squadrons of Mig-21 planes which are expected to retire in the next few days, the capacity of the Indian Air Force is expected to decrease. What does Indian Air Force need? As per media reports, the cost of a single jet was estimated at around Rs 1,600 crore. Considering inflation and upgrades, the current price of a Rafale or its advanced variant is unlikely to be below Rs 2,000 crore per jet. Given that India requires 234 fighter jets, the total cost of the procurement deal is projected to be approximately Rs 4.70 lakh crore, as per a report by News 18 Hindi. India's 5th-generation stealth fighter jet gets key clearance In an important development for India's air superority, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. As per a report by IANS news agency, the AMCA clearance marks a critical step towards realising India's goal of joining an elite club of nations in designing and producing its own fleet of next-generation combat aircraft. The IANS report also says that the project will be helmed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said the Defence Ministry in a press release. The AMCA, widely seen as India's answer to fifth-generation air power, will give a major boost to achieving 'atmanirbharata' in the defence sector and will become a hallmark of India's growing defence capabilities. (With inputs from agencies)
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
India may stun everyone by rejecting Su-57 fighter jet to buy F-35 from US due to..., move may prove game changer for IAF because...
The F-35 Fighter jet-Image for representational purpose American F‑35 fighter aircraft news: As India phases out its old MiG‑21 fighter jet fleet amid growing threats from China and Pakistan, the Indian Air Force is exploring options to quickly acquire fifth-generation fighter jets. Among the top options that India has been offered are the American F‑35 and the Russian Su‑57, both seen as game-changers. It was earlier reported that India may go for the purchase of Russian Su‑57 fighter jets but as of the recent update, reports suggest that India may purchase the American F‑35 fighter aircraft. Why India may choose American F‑35 fighter aircraft? Taking about the while the F‑35 offers cutting-edge stealth and combat technology, it comes with limitations such as lack of weapons integration flexibility and possible restrictions on technology sharing. On the other hand, the Su‑57 is more compatible with India's existing defence systems and may offer opportunities for co-production under the 'Make in India' initiative. Choosing between the two could significantly influence India's defence posture and global alignments. However, reports now say that India may surprise everyone and buy US's F-35 fighter aircraft because it uses world's most advanced stealth technology, has world class network-centric warfare capabilities and this aircraft has proven itself in war. Another advantage of the F-35 aircraft is that it is extremely effective in carrying out surgical strikes against Pakistan on terrorist hideout. India's 5th-generation stealth fighter jet gets key clearance Meanwhile, the government of India, in a major push towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme recently. As per a report by IANS news agency, the AMCA project clearance marks a critical step towards realising India's goal of joining an elite club of nations in designing and producing its own fleet of next-generation combat aircraft. The project will be helmed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said the Defence Ministry in a press release. Designed with low radar cross-section and supercruise capability, the AMCA is seen as the successor to the frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. Some reports suggest that its mass production is likely to commence by 2035. (With inputs from agencies)
India.com
5 days ago
- Business
- India.com
'Google-like brain' now in fighter jets, flying devils of the new war are getting ready with AI tech, more deadly because..., India has...
Sixth-generation fighter jets Sixth-generation fighter jets: The recent global conflicts including the Iran-Israel war, India-Pakistan conflict and the Russia-Ukraine war has seen how important fighter jets have become for proving military and air superiority. With their most powerful and stealth fighter jets, countries have not only shown their attack capabilities but also the level of defence technology they actually possess. In this article, we will talk about the most modern sixth generation fighter jets which are making global headlines due to their strength and intelligence capabilities. How sixth-generation fighter jets are different? Keeping in mid the recent technological advancements, sixth-generation fighter jets are set to redefine air combat with cutting-edge stealth, artificial intelligence, and futuristic designs. The next-gen sixth‑generation fighters mark a major leap beyond the fifth generation, integrating google-like brain, advanced stealth, AI‑powered systems, and multi‑role avionics. One of the most important features of the sixth-generation fighter jets is the fact that the aircrafts will feature AI-powered systems, radar-absorbing coatings, internal weapons bays, and tailless stealth designs that reduce visibility across multiple spectrums. Unlike the currently used fighter jets, sixth-gen fighters will rely heavily on autonomous operations and data fusion, which will enable them to act as command centers in the sky, as per a report by News 18 Hindi. India's 5th-generation stealth fighter jet gets key clearance Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme in a major push towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). As per a report by IANS news agency, the AMCA clearance marks a critical step towards realising India's goal of joining an elite club of nations in designing and producing its own fleet of next-generation combat aircraft. What is India's answer to fifth-generation air power? The AMCA, widely seen as India's answer to fifth-generation air power, will give a major boost to achieving 'atmanirbharata' in the defence sector and will become a hallmark of India's growing defence capabilities. Being the fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter equipped with cutting-edge technology, it will be suited for all-weather operation. Designed with low radar cross-section and supercruise capability, the AMCA is seen as the successor to the frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets. Some reports suggest that its mass production is likely to commence by 2035. (With inputs from agencies)
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Naidu lays out roadmap before Rajnath for defence sector investments in A.P.
In a determined bid to establish Andhra Pradesh as a national leader in defence and aerospace manufacturing, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has put forward a proposal to the Union Government, aiming to attract major strategic investments to the State. A delegation of senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Members of Parliament met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on Thursday and submitted the Chief Minister's proposals, which outline a multi-pronged roadmap for defence development in the region. The delegation, led by MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu and joined by MPs Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy and Daggumalla Prasada Rao, conveyed Mr. Naidu's vision to transform Andhra Pradesh into a robust defence production hub. They submitted two detailed communications from the Chief Minister — both dated May 19 — laying out plans for setting up defence corridors, reviving existing infrastructure, and partnering with the Centre on high-impact manufacturing projects. At the core of the proposal is the establishment of four major defence and aerospace manufacturing clusters strategically located across the State. These include a missile and ammunition production zone in Jaggaiahpet–Donakonda, an aircraft and defence electronics hub in Lepakshi–Madakasira, a naval equipment and weapons testing complex in Visakhapatnam–Anakapalli, and a drone and robotics manufacturing unit in Kurnool–Orvakal region. Together, these clusters would cover over 23,000 acres and serve as the backbone of the State's defence industrial ecosystem. In addition to these hubs, the proposal seeks Central support for a ₹2,400 crore BEL Strategic Complex at Palasamudram and calls for the revival of the aluminium alloy plant of Utkal Alumina and Defence Ltd. (UADNL) in Nellore, which has a capacity of 60,000 TPA. Other projects outlined include land allocation for HAL's expansion plans, establishing an MRO and assembly facility for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program at Lepakshi–Madakasira, and setting up an Air Force Station at Donakonda to support nearby UAV and missile test ranges. Naval SEZ The letter also proposes a Naval SEZ and training centre in Visakhapatnam to support the Eastern Naval Command and allied operations. A DRDO Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence at IIT Tirupati has been suggested to strengthen R&D and innovation in collaboration with academia. To coordinate and oversee the scale of these initiatives, the proposal recommends engaging NITI Aayog, defence industry veterans, and scientific experts, including former DRDO Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy, to guide Andhra Pradesh's transition into a nationally significant defence manufacturing State. In his communication, Mr. Naidu emphasised that these proposals are aligned with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and are aimed at strengthening India's self-reliance in defence technologies. He highlighted the dual goals of enhancing national security and creating large-scale employment and industrial growth in Andhra Pradesh. He also requested the Defence Ministry's recognition and support for the projects, stating that the proposed hubs will help the State emerge as a key contributor to India's defence and aerospace sector. The outreach marks a renewed and strategic push by Mr. Naidu to attract the country's largest defence investments and position Andhra Pradesh as a future-ready hub for innovation, manufacturing, and strategic capability.
