India Enters the 5th-Gen Stealth Jet War — Govt Clears Plan for Next-Gen Fighter
Nidhi | May 27, 2025, 21:05 IST
( Image credit : Getty Editorial, Timeslife )
India has officially approved its most advanced warplane project — a 5th-generation stealth fighter jet under the AMCA program. Backed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, the aircraft will feature radar-evading stealth, twin engines, and supercruise capability. The move follows growing threats from China’s J-20 and Pakistan’s J-10C, and aims to secure India’s skies for the future.
New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s airpower ambitions, the central government on Tuesday approved a long-awaited framework to develop the country’s first indigenously built 5th-generation stealth fighter jet. This move signals India’s formal entry into the elite race to develop highly advanced warplanes that feature stealth technology, superior agility, advanced avionics, and network-centric warfare capabilities.
The project will be spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Ministry of Defence. The agency, which was also responsible for the design of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, will soon invite Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from Indian defence companies to collaborate in building a prototype of the new twin-engine stealth fighter jet.
According to a defence ministry statement, both private and public sector firms will be eligible to participate — either independently or through joint ventures. This decision aligns with the government’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, and follows a March policy recommendation encouraging private sector involvement in military aircraft production.
India’s move comes weeks after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted precision strikes inside Pakistan under “Operation Sindoor” in response to a major terror attack in Pahalgam. The IAF played a pivotal role by targeting terror infrastructure and military installations, once again highlighting the urgent need to upgrade and modernize its fleet.
The IAF currently operates only 31 squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42. With aging fleets of MiG-21s and Jaguars set for retirement, the 5th-generation fighter jet programme is being seen as crucial to restore combat readiness and retain aerial superiority in the region.
India’s current flagship indigenous fighter is the HAL Tejas — a 4.5-generation light combat aircraft. While praised for its agility and fly-by-wire system, Tejas has faced criticism due to delayed deliveries and limited production scale. HAL cited engine supply delays from US manufacturer General Electric as a key bottleneck.
The upcoming stealth fighter, known unofficially as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will mark a major technological leap. Unlike Tejas, the AMCA is designed as a twin-engine, multirole stealth aircraft capable of air dominance, ground strike, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance missions.
The AMCA is expected to incorporate features such as:
Regional dynamics have made the need for advanced fighter jets even more pressing. China has deployed its J-20 stealth fighters near Indian borders, and Pakistan recently inducted the Chinese J-10C — a highly capable 4.5-gen aircraft with AESA radar and beyond-visual-range missile capabilities.
India, in contrast, still relies heavily on 4th-generation platforms like the Su-30 MKI and Mirage-2000, supported by the Tejas and the Rafale. While effective, these platforms face limits when pitted against next-generation stealth aircraft in a future conflict.
The ADA and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have already completed the design and wind tunnel testing phases of the AMCA. The government’s latest approval paves the way for prototype development, with the first flight targeted around 2028 and induction possibly by 2035 — though timelines could shift.
India is also planning to develop a new engine for the AMCA in collaboration with a foreign partner — with France’s Safran, UK’s Rolls-Royce, and the US’s General Electric reportedly in the fray.
In a region where stealth and air superiority are becoming decisive, India’s new fighter jet programme is not just about catching up — it’s about building future-ready capabilities that are made in India, for India.
The project will be spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Ministry of Defence. The agency, which was also responsible for the design of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, will soon invite Expressions of Interest (EoIs) from Indian defence companies to collaborate in building a prototype of the new twin-engine stealth fighter jet.
According to a defence ministry statement, both private and public sector firms will be eligible to participate — either independently or through joint ventures. This decision aligns with the government’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, and follows a March policy recommendation encouraging private sector involvement in military aircraft production.
Why This Matters
The IAF currently operates only 31 squadrons, well below its sanctioned strength of 42. With aging fleets of MiG-21s and Jaguars set for retirement, the 5th-generation fighter jet programme is being seen as crucial to restore combat readiness and retain aerial superiority in the region.
From Tejas to Stealth
Day Two Of The Royal Military Air Tattoo 2023.
( Image credit : Getty Editorial )
The upcoming stealth fighter, known unofficially as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will mark a major technological leap. Unlike Tejas, the AMCA is designed as a twin-engine, multirole stealth aircraft capable of air dominance, ground strike, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance missions.
The AMCA is expected to incorporate features such as:
- Low radar cross-section (stealth)
- Supercruise capability
- Internal weapons bays
- Advanced avionics with sensor fusion
- Artificial intelligence-assisted operations
The China-Pakistan Factor
India, in contrast, still relies heavily on 4th-generation platforms like the Su-30 MKI and Mirage-2000, supported by the Tejas and the Rafale. While effective, these platforms face limits when pitted against next-generation stealth aircraft in a future conflict.
What’s Next?
India is also planning to develop a new engine for the AMCA in collaboration with a foreign partner — with France’s Safran, UK’s Rolls-Royce, and the US’s General Electric reportedly in the fray.
In a region where stealth and air superiority are becoming decisive, India’s new fighter jet programme is not just about catching up — it’s about building future-ready capabilities that are made in India, for India.