india-eyes-future-skies-with-6th-gen-stealth-jet

India has unveiled plans to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter aircraft under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, a significant step towards bolstering its air defence capabilities.

 

The announcement comes weeks after the precision strikes under Operation Sindoor and at a time of heightened regional security concerns.

 

Under the AMCA Mark-2 project, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will work through its Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to build an indigenous 120 kilonewton (kN) engine.

 

The project aims to integrate sixth-generation technologies and will likely involve collaboration with global firms such as Rolls-Royce, Safran or General Electric. These developments are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force's (IAF) strike capacity and air superiority.

 

India’s current fleet primarily comprises 4.5-generation aircraft such as the French Rafale and the Russian-origin Su-30MKI. However, the need for more advanced jets has intensified, particularly in light of China’s deployment of its fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters along the border.

 

Reports also suggest China could soon supply fifth-generation aircraft to Pakistan, increasing the urgency for India to upgrade its combat aviation capabilities.

 

India requires 42 to 43 squadrons to ensure full operational readiness, but currently has only about 30. This gap equates to a shortfall of 200 to 300 aircraft, which the AMCA programme seeks to address.

 

Initial deliveries under the AMCA Mark-1 model are expected soon and will use General Electric’s F414 engines. However, delays from the American supplier have pushed the timeline back by nearly a year.

 

AMCA Mark-2 will represent a major technological upgrade, with a powerplant being developed domestically. The 120 kN engine, once complete, is expected to offer 30 percent greater range and 20 percent higher acceleration than current systems.

 

An engine in the 100 kN class typically generates around 22,500 pounds (approximately 10,200 kilograms) of thrust. The added thrust of the new engine will improve both strike capability and supersonic performance.

 

The Mark-2 variant will also integrate several sixth-generation features. These include enhanced stealth capability through upgraded airframe materials and design, as well as sensor fusion technology that enables the aircraft to better evade radar detection.

 

Optimised airflow designs and next-generation avionics will further boost stealth and speed.

 

Artificial intelligence will play a central role in the aircraft’s operation. The sixth-generation fighter jet is expected to be equipped with AI-based combat systems and optional manned technology, allowing the pilot to control multiple UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) during missions.

 

A single pilot will be able to execute multiple tasks simultaneously, enhancing mission efficiency and tactical flexibility.

 

The combination of a powerful indigenous engine, stealth features, AI integration, and drone command capability is designed to put India in the elite group of nations—alongside the United States, China and Russia—capable of developing sixth-generation fighter jets.

 

While AMCA Mark-1 will cater to the IAF’s immediate needs, the Mark-2 platform positions India for long-term strategic advancement.

 

Defence experts believe the project could strengthen India’s presence in the global defence market and serve as a significant source of revenue through potential exports in the future.

 

The Ministry of Defence is expected to finalise international collaborations for engine development soon, further accelerating the AMCA Mark-2 programme’s trajectory.