What plans does the Indian Air Force have for its own fifth-generation stealth fighter? Everything You Must Understand

With an estimated cost of Rs 15,000 crore, India would now be able to produce its own fifth-generation stealth fighter, the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), at supersonic cruising speed.

Five aircraft prototypes will be designed and built over the course of the next five years, according to approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) design and prototype development process received CCS clearance more than two years after the procedure was started by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

The Times of India cited a source who said that the first AMCA prototype would be ready in four years and would take off for its inaugural flight the following year. “HAL will need to design and test prototypes in the air for nine to ten years before starting real production of AMCA. Thus, after 2035, IAF will start inducting them.

ADVANCED MEDIUM COMBAT AIRCRAFT: WHAT IS IT?
The 25-ton aircraft will include conformal antennas, radar-absorbing materials, and an interior compartment for smart weaponry in addition to a “serpentine air-intake.” According to a source in The Times of India, “it will be able to achieve supersonic cruise speeds without the use of afterburners as well as have data fusion and multi-sensor integration with AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars.”

Advanced technology, including super maneuverability, super cruise, stealth, and a state-of-the-art sensor suite with fusion, will all be included in the AMCA. The AMCA is being planned as a fifth generation, stealthy, medium weight, twin-engine, multi-mission aircraft that can switch tasks. Suppression of enemy air defense (SEAD), precise strikes, and marine operations are all part of the covert mission.

Describe the IAF Plan.
Tejas Mark 1A and Mark 2 planes will be introduced to the IAF. Although the IAF now only has 40 Tejas Mark-1 planes with GE-F404 engines, the 83 upgraded Tejas Mark-1A fighters will shortly start to be delivered at a cost of Rs 46,898 crore. For around Rs 67,000 crore, another 97 of these planes would be purchased after it, according to a story in The Times of India.

There are now four fifth-generation aircraft: the Chinese J-20, the Russian Su-57, the American F-22 Raptor, and the USA’s F-35A Lightning-II. Last month, Turkey’s fifth-generation fighter, Kaan, had a short test flight.

According to a report by the Deccan Herald, these platforms incorporate stealth, low probability of intercept radar, nimble airframes with super cruise capability, sophisticated avionics features, and highly integrated computer systems capable of networking with other components in the fight.

In 2022, the CCS approved a development project worth around Rs 9,000 crore to build Tejas Mark-2 aircraft equipped with more potent GE-F414 engines. According to The Times of India, the IAF plans to introduce six squadrons (108 aircraft) of Tejas Mark-2, which would have a greater combat range.

Proposals to purchase 34 ALH Dhruv helicopters for the Indian Army and Indian Coast Guard were also approved by the CCS. Nine of these helicopters will go to the Indian Coast Guard, while twenty-five will go to the Army.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will be the manufacturer of the helicopters. Top government officials informed ANI that the Indian Army would be integrating 25 of these helicopters into their fleets, while the Coast Guard would get nine of them.