India is mulling to procure its first fleet of 5th-generation fighter jets, and is weighing its options to acquire either the US-made F-35A, or the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet.
The recent India-Pakistan conflict proved how future wars would be decided by superior power as the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets decimated Pakistani military infrastructure and terrorist bases deep inside the enemy country with precise, yet deadly airstrikes. But imagine what advanced 5th generation fighter jets made by Russia, India, and the United States could do together if these three military powers combined their aerial prowess against the combined strength of Pakistan and China.
Let us take a look at the latest 5th-generation fighter planes being developed by India, Russia and the US:
While Russia has the Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jet, a multirole 5th-generation fighter equipped with hypersonic missiles, in addition to stealth and super cruise technology, the United States has the monstrous F-35, its own 5th-gen fighter aircraft featuring advanced avionics and superior stealth technology, making it a formidable offensive weapon for any air force.
On the other hand, India is mulling to procure its first fleet of 5th-generation fighter jets, and is weighing its options to acquire either the US-made F-35A, or the Russian-built Sukhoi Su-57.
Notably, Russia, New Delhi’s trusted defence partner and top weapons supplier, recently offered an enticing deal on the Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet, offering to sell the 5th-gen fighter to India as well as an assured transfer of technology, something which the US is unwilling to do.
Additionally, India has its own indigenous 5th generation fighter jet program, with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)– an agency under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), being tasked with designing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and mass production expected to begin by 2035.
The AMCA is being developed as a multirole fighter aircraft, capable of carrying out various types of missions, including air supremacy, ground-strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW), according to details.
Tough challenge for China, Pakistan
Apart from the US and Russia, China is only the third country in the world to possess a 5th-gen aircraft at present, with its Chengdu J-20, aka the ‘Mighty Dragon’– a twin-engine all-weather stealth fighter– regarded as the most advanced warplane in Asia.
However, Chinese J-20 fighter will face a tough challenge in the skies if the AMCA, F-35 and Su-57 fly together. On the other hand, the Chinese-made JF-17– a 4.5 generation fighter jet– is the latest in the arsenal of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), but experts believe that this jet does not stand a chance against any of the above mentioned advanced fighters.
