There are only three countries in the world that have the art of making fifth generation fighter jets, although there are some other countries as well that are on the path of making fifth generation fighter jets like Turkey, France and India also has a project called AMCA which is moving forward towards making fifth generation fighter jets, but in today’s era, Russia, America and China are the only countries that have completely made fifth generation fighter jets.
America has F-22 and F-35, China has J20 and J-35, apart from this Russia has fighter jets like 257, America has sold F35 to many other countries like Australia which are using F35, but the technology of F22 fighter jet has not been given to anyone by America nor has it been sold.
Apart from this China has J20 and J35 fighter jets, China has recently announced that it will give J35 fighter jets to Pakistan at 50% off and as you know talks are going on between Russia and India for the deal of Su 57 fighter jets, but there is no clear opinion on this yet.
Currently, the Government of India has started working on the AMCA project to make its fifth generation fighter jets. Its full form is Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.
The Government of India has allocated Rs 15000 crore to complete this project, which will be made for the Air Force by the Aeronautical Development Agency and corporations of industries at the global level.
Features of AMCA
At present, the Indian Air Force has 31 fighter aircraft squadrons while the Air Force requires about 42 fighter jet squadrons and it is also being said that in the coming 10 years, 8 fighter jet squadrons will be retired from the Air Force, due to which it has become necessary to emphasize that the AMCA project should be completed as soon as possible.
What will be the features of India’s fifth generation fighter jets :-
- The fifth generation fighter jet to be built by India will be a single seater, twin engine jet of 25 tonnes which will be of advanced level stealth and it will be difficult to be detected by any radar.
- These aircraft will be bigger than other aircraft of India, with a fuel capacity of 6.5 tonnes and the weapons system will be installed inside this aircraft itself.
- The engine fitted in this aircraft will be manufactured indigenously in collaboration with India’s DRDO and other major foreign defence companies.
- This aircraft can carry 4 long range air to air missiles and various guided munitions.
This aircraft made by India is successful for all types of weather. This 25 ton aircraft can fly up to a maximum height of 55000 feet. A tank has been installed in this aircraft due to which it can lift 1500 kg weight internally and 5500 kg weapon externally and it can bear a maximum of 6500 kg fuel.
This aircraft will be designed in such a way that it will not only be stealth but also advanced stealth and the rays coming from any enemy radar will hit it but will not be able to go back. The rays will be absorbed in it due to which it will remain completely hidden.
Why is India need fifth generation fighter jets?
This aircraft which flies at supersonic speed is fitted with sensors which will provide situational awareness to the pilot sitting in the cockpit. Apart from this, it has AI technology which will help the pilot in decision making in real time.
This aircraft to be built by DRDO will be of 5.5th generation, whose first flight will take place in 2028, its development will be completed in 2034 and it will be included in the Indian Air Force by 2035.
Former Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal R. K. S. Bhadauria says that the AMCA project is not only an advancement in India’s technology but it also has a strategic importance.
There are many reasons why India should have its own fighter jets which are of fifth generation:-
- On purchasing both F35 and Su57 aircraft, India will have to depend on other countries because there is a limitation in technology transfer on purchasing aircraft like F35, hence it is very important for India to have its own indigenous aircraft.
- Russia’s Su-57 is a fifth generation fighter jet, but its stealth version poses some challenges which remain a subject of concern for India.
- The F-35 aircraft sold by America is a high cost aircraft, apart from this some experts believe that a software called kill switch is installed in it which is a concern for India.
- The kill switch is a hypothetical software that would give the supplier authorization to limit the aircraft’s capabilities.
India is talking about making engines for its fighter jets in collaboration with at least 3 foreign countries. Here India has ignored America a bit.
There are companies from UK, France and Japan with which India can start manufacturing its engines. Japan has already given India an offer to make sixth generation fighter jets.
Along with Japan, a London-based defense company has already offered to India for joint manufacturing fighter jets.
India has also given permission to its domestic defense companies to manufacture and design fighter jets.
If India had worked together with America to manufacture fighter jet engines, the defense relations between India and America would have improved further.
As you know, France has denied to give the source code of the Rafale fighter jet which India had bought from France. The source code is a computer system in fighter jets through which the aircraft can be upgraded. If you do not have this source code, then you cannot upgrade this aircraft.