India is also working on the AMCA project.
New Delhi: U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the construction of the F-47 NGAD sixth generation fighter jets. The U.S. government has allocated an initial budget of $20 billion to Boeing, the company that will manufacture these fighter jets. This budget will cover research and development work for this fighter jet, which will include the construction of engines, new communication systems, radar systems, and various other developments.
This means that America could become the first country in the world to possess its own sixth generation fighter jet. However, China has also unveiled the prototype of its J-36 sixth generation fighter jet, claiming that the J-36 will be a sixth generation fighter. On the other hand, India is years away from its own fifth generation fighter project. Therefore, India is caught in a dilemma.
The Indian Defense Research Wing (IDRW) has reported, citing a senior officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF), that India also plans to develop sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that the plan for constructing sixth-generation fighter jets reflects India’s strategic shift. However, the Air Force official also mentioned that any plan to develop such advanced aircraft would require a redesign from scratch and would be a significant leap given India’s capabilities.
It is noteworthy that India is currently working on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, under which fifth-generation fighter jets are being created. The development is being carried out by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). According to a report by IDRW, an official from the Indian Air Force has suggested that India’s goal under the AMCA project is to conduct the first aircraft’s flight test by 2028.
This will also be the right time for the Indian Air Force and ADA to create concepts for the development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The official stated that “once the AMCA starts flying, then the Indian Air Force and ADA can begin discussions on the development of sixth-generation fighter jets.” The official believes that the experience India will gain from building fifth-generation fighter jets will be invaluable and this knowledge will greatly assist in the construction of sixth-generation fighter aircraft.
Right now, the SU-30MKI fighter aircraft forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force fleet.
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