These steps by New Delhi are very crucial as Pakistan is planning to buy 40 J -35A stealth fighter jets from China.
New Delhi: In a major development in its air power, India is going to build a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet at an accelerated pace. The jet will be equipped with modern technology and weapons. It will also feature advanced stealth technology, making it almost invisible on the enemy’s radar. A high-level committee has been formed for this initiative. This committee is working on the strategy and business model for developing the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
Big Preparations For Fighter Jet
Notably, the chairman for the committee is Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. It also includes Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal SP Dharkar, Defense Production Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, and senior officials of DRDO and ADA. The committee is going to submit its report next month and the report will be very important as it will outline the future of AMCA.
These steps by New Delhi are very crucial as Pakistan is planning to buy 40 J -35A stealth fighter jets from China. One the other hand, China is working on the sixth generation jets.
Why Is 5th Gen Fighter Jet Necessary?
China has stationed its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 fighter jets at airbases such as Hotan and Shigatse, which are positioned near India. Meanwhile, the production of the fourth-generation Tejas jets by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is experiencing significant delays. According to a source who spoke to our affiliated publication, the objective of the committee is to expedite the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) from the design phase to operational status. To achieve this, it is essential to shorten the timeline and enhance efficiency. Additionally, there is a need to establish a more effective production and business model that encourages greater involvement from the private sector, meaning that private companies will also participate in the development of the AMCA. This represents a notable shift in the approach.
Features
The fifth-gen fighter jet is expected to have an engine with 110 kilo newton thrust. The engine will power the 25 AMCA. India is also taking help of other countries to bill the jet. Big companies like America’s General Electric, France’s Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce are involved in this race.
Stealth Aircraft Will Have These Special Features
The AMCA will have stealth features like internal weapon storage and specially shaped air intakes. But, as per the current pace, production of the AMCA will not begin before 2035.
The Air Force currently has only 30 fighter squadrons, while it should have 42.5 squadrons. Eight more squadrons will retire in the next 10 years. Hence, IAF to induct more squadrons in its fleet.
India Will Make 126 Fighter Jets
The Air Force intends to introduce 126 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) jets, which will be organized into seven squadrons. The AMCA will incorporate advanced technologies such as an AI-driven electronic pilot system, a netcentric warfare system, and an integrated vehicle health management system. The initial two squadrons will be equipped with GE-F414 engines providing 98 kilo Newton thrust, while the other five squadrons will utilize engines with a thrust of 110 kilo Newton.
In addition, the Air Force plans to acquire 180 Tejas Mark-1A jets, costing approximately Rs 1.2 lakh crore, along with 108 Tejas Mark-2 jets to address the decreasing fleet numbers. Furthermore, there is an ongoing initiative to develop 114 4.5-generation multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA), which will involve international collaboration.
