US President Donald Trump recently offered India a couple of fifth gen F-35s for sale. While India’s own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is also under development and its Air Force already boasts a couple of 4.5-generation Rafales. India has also just placed an order for the marine variant of Rafales. Raising the question of the value of its 5th generation AMCA, some enthusiasts and experts are suggesting that India’s AMCA development is so far behind that it makes more sense to directly start developing 6th generation fighter jets. But how practical is it? Let’s find out!
While global defence programs are shifting focus to 6th-generation fighters. Some argue that India should bypass AMCA and move directly to a next-generation platform. This approach could save time and resources.
Let’s examine India’s aerospace capabilities, challenges in developing a 6th-generation fighter, and whether skipping AMCA would be a viable strategy.
Understanding the Difference Between 5th- and 6th-Generation Fighters
Fighter jets are classified into generations based on technology. Each generation builds on the lessons of its predecessors.
Features of 5th-Generation Fighters
- Stealth technology for reduced radar detectability
- Supercruise capability for sustained supersonic flight
- Advanced sensor fusion for real-time battlefield awareness
- Internal weapons bays to maintain low observability
- Electronic warfare and network-centric operations
The F-22, F-35, J-20, and Su-57 are examples of 5th-generation fighters.
Features of 6th-Generation Fighters
- AI-driven avionics for autonomous and pilot-assisted operations
- Manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) to control drone swarms
- Directed energy weapons such as lasers for missile interception
- Hypersonic or adaptive-cycle engines for improved performance
- Cyber and electronic warfare capabilities to disable enemy networks
The US, UK-Italy-Japan, and China are leading the development of 6th-generation fighters.
Technological Readiness
Stealth
Stealth is a defining feature of both fifth- and sixth-generation fighters. It reduces an aircraft’s radar cross-section, infrared signature, and electronic emissions to make detection difficult. India has never developed a fully stealth-capable aircraft before. The AMCA program is its first attempt at designing an indigenous stealth fighter.
DRDO has made some progress in stealth materials, such as radar-absorbent coatings, but these remain untested in combat situations. The United States and China have spent decades refining stealth designs. The F-22 and F-35 use advanced composites and stealth shaping. China’s J-20 faced early setbacks due to its lack of mature stealth coatings and poor engine integration.
India’s experience with stealth technology has been limited to radar-absorbent paint applied to Su-30MKIs. This is not enough for a full stealth fighter. AMCA’s design will require precision manufacturing to maintain stealth characteristics. Gaps, rivets, and surface imperfections can significantly increase radar reflectivity. Stealth technology is expensive and difficult to master. The F-35 program cost over $1.7 trillion, with stealth-related research and development consuming a large portion of this budget.
Even China, with its vast industrial base, struggled with J-20 stealth materials. If India were to skip AMCA and directly attempt a sixth-generation design, it would lack the necessary experience in stealth shaping, materials, and coatings. A phased approach is more practical. AMCA should serve as a testing ground for stealth-related technologies. Lessons learned from AMCA can then be applied to future sixth-generation projects.
Jet Engine Development
India’s most significant technological bottleneck remains jet engine development. Without a capable indigenous engine, India will always rely on foreign suppliers, limiting its strategic autonomy. The Kaveri engine project, started in the 1990s, failed to meet thrust requirements. It produced only 76 kN in afterburner mode, well below the 90-100 kN needed for a fighter jet.
India now uses foreign jet engines such as the GE F404 and F414 for Tejas, AL-31FP for Su-30MKI, and Rolls-Royce Adour for the Jaguar fleet. AMCA will initially use GE F414 engines, but India aims to co-develop an indigenous engine with France’s Safran. Adaptive-cycle engines, necessary for sixth-generation fighters, are beyond India’s current expertise.
The US is developing the XA100 engine for NGAD, featuring variable-bypass technology for greater efficiency. Jet engines require high-temperature superalloys and ceramic matrix composites, but India’s metallurgy sector is still catching up to Western capabilities. The Eurojet EJ200, used in the Eurofighter Typhoon, took nearly 20 years to mature. India is still in its early research stages. If India cannot develop a reliable fifth-generation fighter engine, it cannot produce the highly complex engines needed for sixth-generation fighters.
Developing a new engine can take decades, with heavy investments in materials science and turbine design. Skipping AMCA and attempting a sixth-generation fighter would force India to depend entirely on foreign engines, increasing vulnerability to supply chain disruptions. Instead, India should focus on finalizing the AMCA engine with Safran and ensuring knowledge transfer, investing in long-term adaptive-cycle engine research while gaining experience through AMCA production, and developing a dedicated propulsion research and development ecosystem with private sector involvement.
AI and Sensor Fusion
Sixth-generation fighters will rely heavily on artificial intelligence and advanced sensor fusion for battlefield dominance. These aircraft will need to process vast amounts of data in real time to support pilots and operate alongside unmanned combat drones. India is developing AESA radars for Tejas and AMCA. However, Israel and the US remain ahead in radar miniaturization and sensor fusion. India has invested in AI-based avionics, but most combat management systems are still human-dependent.
The Defence AI Council was set up in 2020, but AI applications in combat aviation remain limited. AI-enabled autonomous decision-making is still in the early research stages in India. The US and China have already tested AI-driven dogfight simulators. AI-driven aircraft require powerful onboard computing systems, but India lacks semiconductor and processor manufacturing capabilities for high-performance avionics. The future of air combat lies in manned-unmanned teaming.
The US NGAD and the UK’s Tempest are being designed with drone control capabilities. India’s CATS, or Combat Air Teaming System, is still in the concept stage. India has made progress in AI for civilian and cyber defence applications, but integrating AI into next-generation fighter jets is a different challenge. AI-driven sensor fusion will require massive computing power, networked warfare capabilities, and real-time battlefield processing. These technologies are still in the early stages of development in India.
Manufacturing Capabilities
Only a few Indian companies, such as HAL, Tata Advanced Systems, and L&T, have experience in aerospace manufacturing. They have not yet produced a full-scale fifth-generation fighter. Skipping AMCA would leave gaps in India’s defence industry. Aerospace manufacturing requires precision engineering and advanced materials. India’s aerospace sector is still heavily reliant on imports for critical subsystems such as actuators, avionics, and high-performance alloys.
The US, Europe, and China have spent decades developing domestic supply chains. India’s ability to mass-produce advanced fighters remains unproven. Even Tejas production has faced delays due to supply chain constraints. AMCA will provide an opportunity to develop a robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
By producing AMCA in large numbers, India can build industrial expertise, streamline production processes, and attract private-sector investment. Without this experience, manufacturing a sixth-generation fighter would be far more difficult. The F-35 required significant supply chain restructuring in the US and Europe, with hundreds of suppliers working in tandem.
India does not yet have such an ecosystem. HAL alone cannot meet the demands of a next-generation fighter. A strong defence industrial base must be built through AMCA before attempting more advanced designs.
Electronic Warfare and Cybersecurity
Sixth-generation fighters will be designed for network-centric warfare. They will integrate electronic warfare suites, cyber defence systems, and advanced electronic countermeasures. India is still catching up in this domain. The Su-30MKI and Rafale feature advanced electronic warfare capabilities, but most of this technology is imported.
DRDO has made some progress in indigenous jamming and countermeasure systems, but these remain limited in operational use. The US and China are investing heavily in directed energy weapons and electronic attack systems for their next-generation fighters. India must significantly expand its electronic warfare research before attempting to integrate such systems into a future sixth-generation platform.
Cybersecurity is another critical challenge. Future air combat will involve networked platforms, with fighter jets, drones, and ground systems sharing real-time data. Securing these networks against cyber threats is vital. India’s current cyber defence capabilities are improving, but it has not yet developed robust air combat cyber defence frameworks. The integration of AI and data networks into a sixth-generation fighter will increase cybersecurity risks. Without prior experience from AMCA, India would struggle to design secure systems for a more advanced fighter.
Lessons from Other Countries
No country has skipped a generation in fighter development.
United States
The US built the F-22 before moving to the F-35 and then the NGAD (6th-generation fighter). Without the F-22, it would have lacked the expertise needed for next-generation aircraft.
China
China first developed the J-20 before announcing its 6th-generation fighter program. It is still refining its jet engine technology, showing the challenges of skipping key developmental steps.
Europe
The UK, Italy, and Japan built the Eurofighter Typhoon before developing the Tempest 6th-generation fighter. The Typhoon gave them experience in avionics, manufacturing, and stealth coatings.
Why Skipping AMCA Would Be a Mistake
Technological Gaps
Developing a sixth-generation fighter without first mastering fifth-generation technologies would leave significant knowledge gaps in critical areas. Stealth is a key element of modern air superiority, but India has yet to produce a fully stealth-capable aircraft. The AMCA is designed to introduce stealth shaping, radar-absorbent materials, and low-observability coatings, all of which require extensive testing and refinement. Without real-world experience, Indian engineers and manufacturers would struggle to implement even more advanced stealth concepts required for a sixth-generation fighter. Engine development is another major hurdle. India has never developed an indigenous fighter jet engine powerful enough for high-performance aircraft. The Kaveri engine failed to meet expectations, and even with foreign assistance, India remains reliant on imported engines. A sixth-generation fighter would require adaptive-cycle engines, variable-bypass ratio capabilities, and high-thrust performance, all of which are beyond India’s current expertise. Sensor fusion and AI-driven avionics are becoming the backbone of modern air combat. The AMCA will incorporate advanced avionics, but India still depends on foreign radar and sensor technology. Skipping AMCA would mean missing a crucial learning phase, making it much harder to integrate next-generation AI and sensor fusion into future aircraft.
Industrial Delays
The Indian aerospace industry has seen steady progress, but it remains heavily dependent on state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. Private firms like Tata Advanced Systems and L&T are gaining experience in aerospace manufacturing, but they have not yet been involved in the full-scale production of an indigenous fifth-generation fighter. The AMCA program would provide them with crucial expertise in working with advanced materials, stealth coatings, and next-generation avionics. Skipping AMCA would slow down this learning curve and create a gap in manufacturing capability. India also needs a strong domestic supply chain for subsystems such as actuators, avionics, electronic warfare suites, and stealth materials. Many of these components are still imported. Developing AMCA would allow Indian companies to progressively localize production, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Without this transition, moving straight to a sixth-generation fighter would require heavy reliance on foreign technology, increasing costs and delays.
Fighter Jet Shortage
The Indian Air Force is already facing a fighter jet shortfall due to the retirement of older aircraft such as MiG-21s, Jaguars, and Mirage-2000s. The IAF currently operates around 30 fighter squadrons, but this number is expected to drop further in the coming years. The sanctioned strength is 42 squadrons, meaning India is already operating at a disadvantage. While Tejas Mk1A and the Rafale fleet are being expanded, they are not sufficient to bridge this gap. The AMCA is designed to replace retiring jets and ensure the IAF maintains air superiority. A sixth-generation fighter, even in the best-case scenario, would not be ready before 2050. Without AMCA, the IAF would be forced to rely on additional foreign imports, increasing costs and reducing self-reliance.
Loss of International Partnerships
India has built valuable partnerships with leading aerospace companies and defence manufacturers. France’s Safran is working on an indigenous jet engine project, and the United States’ General Electric is supplying the F414 engine for AMCA. These collaborations could be jeopardized if AMCA is canceled or delayed. International defence partnerships are built on long-term cooperation and trust. France and the US have invested resources in India’s fighter jet programs, expecting continued collaboration. Canceling AMCA could make foreign partners hesitant to support future projects, including a sixth-generation fighter. India’s credibility as a defence manufacturing partner could suffer, making it more difficult to attract advanced technology transfers and joint development opportunities in the future.
Export Potential
The global fighter jet market is highly competitive, but India has an opportunity to establish itself as an exporter of advanced combat aircraft. Countries like Egypt, Malaysia, and the UAE have shown interest in advanced fighters but often look for alternatives to US and Russian platforms due to geopolitical concerns. The AMCA, if successfully developed, could position India as a defence exporter similar to France with the Rafale. Without AMCA, India would miss this opportunity, further increasing its dependence on foreign suppliers for military aviation. By building an export-oriented production model, India could strengthen its aerospace industry, generate revenue, and enhance diplomatic ties with potential buyers.
How India Can Transition from AMCA to a Sixth-Generation Fighter
Phase 1: Develop and Deploy AMCA (2025-2040)
India must fully develop, test, and deploy AMCA as a frontline fighter before moving to a sixth-generation aircraft. The AMCA is expected to enter production around 2032, with initial deliveries beginning by 2035. It will introduce stealth, sensor fusion, and advanced avionics into the Indian Air Force. This phase will allow Indian engineers to refine stealth materials, integrate electronic warfare systems, and develop a reliable manufacturing ecosystem. During this phase, India must also focus on expanding production capacity. The Tejas program faced delays due to slow production rates, and similar issues must be avoided with AMCA. Ensuring rapid induction into the IAF will provide valuable real-world data on the aircraft’s performance, which will be crucial for future designs.
Phase 2: Research Sixth-Generation Technologies (2030-2045)
While AMCA is being deployed, India must invest in next-generation defence technologies. The US, UK, and China are already testing hypersonic engines, AI-driven avionics, and drone swarm capabilities. India must establish dedicated research programs in these areas to remain competitive. AI-driven avionics will be a key focus. The IAF will require advanced decision-support systems that can process massive amounts of data in real time. India needs to develop AI-powered radar systems and electronic warfare suites domestically to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. India should collaborate with nations like France, the UK, or Japan on advanced technology programs. The UK’s Tempest project and Japan’s F-X fighter program are potential avenues for joint research. Collaborative development will accelerate India’s learning curve while ensuring access to cutting-edge innovations. The Defence Research and Development Organisation must also invest heavily in directed energy weapons, which will likely become standard on sixth-generation fighters. The US is already testing airborne laser systems, and China has similar projects underway. India must establish its own capabilities in this domain to remain competitive.
Phase 3: Build a Sixth-Generation Fighter (2040-2055)
By the 2040s, India should begin designing and manufacturing its first indigenous sixth-generation fighter. Lessons from AMCA will play a crucial role in shaping this new aircraft. The sixth-generation fighter will incorporate AI-driven warfare capabilities, drone teaming, hypersonic propulsion, and adaptive-cycle engines. The manufacturing ecosystem developed during the AMCA program will need further expansion. Large-scale private sector involvement will be required to ensure timely production and technological advancement. India must also focus on network-centric warfare capabilities, integrating the sixth-generation fighter into a fully digital battlespace. The goal should be to achieve first flight by the late 2040s and full operational capability by 2055. By this time, global air combat doctrines will have shifted toward autonomous operations, and India must be prepared to integrate unmanned systems with its next-generation fighter. A successful transition from AMCA to a sixth-generation fighter will ensure that India remains a major player in global defence aviation.
