Explained: What Are 5th-Generation Fighter Jets and How AMCA Will Give India a Strategic Edge
- MGMMTeam
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
The Defence Ministry has approved the "execution model" for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aimed at developing medium-weight deep-penetration fighter jets to strengthen India's air combat capabilities.
“In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model," the Ministry of Defence stated on Tuesday.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will spearhead the AMCA project in partnership with private industry players.
Touted as India’s response to fifth-generation air power, the AMCA is envisioned as a stealth-intensive, multi-role aircraft equipped with advanced features like sensor fusion, internal weapons bays, state-of-the-art avionics, and supercruise capability.
What Is an Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft?
The AMCA is a 25-tonne twin-engine aircraft equipped with an internal fuel tank that can hold up to 6.5 tonnes. Its cutting-edge stealth capabilities are designed to address evolving challenges in modern warfare. The initial project cost is estimated at Rs 15,000 crore.
This fifth-generation stealth fighter jet features an AI-powered Electronic Pilot to enhance advanced decision-making. It is also equipped with Netcentric Warfare Systems for real-time combat coordination, an internal weapons bay capable of housing a variety of armaments, and Integrated Vehicle Health Management for predictive maintenance, according to a report by India Today. The aircraft will support complex combat scenarios and facilitate smooth coordination with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The internal weapons bay can accommodate up to four long-range air-to-air missiles along with multiple precision-guided munitions, with a total payload capacity of 1,500 kg, The Indian Express reported.
Unlike Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), fifth-generation fighters like the AMCA have a low electromagnetic signature, making them difficult for enemy radar to detect.
With the development of the AMCA, India has joined a select group of nations capable of producing fifth-generation stealth fighters. The United States fields the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II, China operates the J-20 Mighty Dragon, and Russia has the Sukhoi Su-57.
When Can India Expect to Receive AMCA?
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has pledged to deliver the AMCA by 2035. “This initiative only commenced in 2024, following approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security,” DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat previously stated. “The development is expected to take ten years, and we are committed to delivering the platform by 2035.”
A key aspect of the AMCA’s development is its engine, which is expected to be created through a partnership with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sanctioned the full-scale engineering development of five AMCA prototypes, allocating an initial budget exceeding Rs 15,000 crore.
Alongside this, several significant indigenous systems such as VSHORAD, MPATGM, and LCA Mk II are also approaching induction, signaling a transformative decade ahead for India’s defence manufacturing sector.
What Are the F-35 and Su-57 Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets?
The 15th edition of Aero India, held in Bengaluru on February 10, features some of the most advanced fighter jets, including Russia’s Su-57E and the USA’s F-35.
The Sukhoi Su-57 is a twin-engine, stealth multi-role fighter developed by Sukhoi. It can reach a top speed of Mach 1.8 and carry up to 7.4 tonnes of weaponry, including both air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles. The aircraft operates at a maximum altitude of 54,100 feet and has a combat range of 1,864 miles.
Russia, which currently possesses around 76 Su-57 jets, is reportedly looking to export the aircraft to India and the UAE, according to a report by the Indian Express.
The F-35 Lightning II fighter jets developed by Lockheed Martin are the “most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities", the defence ministry stated in a release.
The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is a next-generation, single-seat fighter jet equipped with numerous advanced features. These include ultra-high frequency voice and data communication, joint precision approach and landing systems, and the state-of-the-art Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL) designed specifically for stealth platforms.
It can carry a payload of up to 18,000 pounds, reach speeds of Mach 1.6, and holds an internal fuel capacity of 18,498 pounds.
The F-35 is outfitted with cutting-edge tactical data links that enable secure information sharing between its squadron members and with other airborne, surface, and ground units essential for mission execution.
Its engine delivers 43,000 pounds of thrust and features a three-stage fan, six-stage compressor, annular combustor, single-stage high-pressure turbine, and a two-stage low-pressure turbine.
Key Features of Each Generation of Fighter Jets Explained
Generation 1 – Early Jet Era (1940-1950): This period marked the shift from propeller-driven aircraft to jet propulsion, though jet technology was still in its infancy. These early jets lacked radar systems, were equipped only with machine guns and unguided rockets, and had limited speed and altitude capabilities. Their design and construction were relatively simple. Key models include the F-86 Sabre (USA), MiG-15 (USSR), Gloster Meteor (UK), de Havilland Vampire (UK), and Dassault Ouragan (France).
Generation 2 – Supersonic and Radar Introduction (1950-1960): Jets in this generation broke the sound barrier and started to incorporate basic radar technology, alongside the introduction of air-to-air missiles such as the AIM-9. Radar became a vital tool in combat. Prominent examples include the MiG-21 (USSR), F-104 Starfighter (USA), Mirage III (France), and English Electric Lightning (UK).
Generation 3 – Emergence of Multi-Role Fighters (1970-1980): Aircraft evolved to carry out both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. With advancements like digital avionics, fly-by-wire control systems, and enhanced thrust-to-weight ratios, these jets gained superior maneuverability and mission flexibility. Noteworthy aircraft from this era include the F-4 Phantom II (USA), MiG-23 and MiG-27 (USSR), SEPECAT Jaguar (UK/France), and Mirage F1 (France).
Generation 3.5 – Modernized Third Generation (1980-1990): This phase focused on upgrading existing jets with features such as Pulse-Doppler radar, glass cockpits, limited beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile capabilities, and digital systems. Examples include the MiG-23MLD (USSR), F-4E (USA), F-5E Tiger II (USA), Mirage F1 CR/CT (France), and MiG-21 Bison (India).
Generation 4 (From 1990s onwards): Fighter jets underwent a digital transformation, evolving from isolated platforms into integrated nodes within a network-centric warfare environment. These aircraft became heavily reliant on advanced digital avionics, communication systems, and real-time data sharing. Representative jets include the Mirage 2000 (France), MiG-29 (USSR), F/A-18 Hornet (USA), JAS 39 Gripen A/B (Sweden), and HAL Tejas Mk1 (India).
Generation 4.5 – Enhanced Fourth Generation: These fighters are upgraded variants of 4th generation jets, featuring state-of-the-art avionics, improved sensors, and advanced weaponry. Sometimes called “4th Generation Plus,” they incorporate some 5th generation technologies like sensor fusion and reduced radar cross-section. Examples include the MiG-29SMT/UPG (Russia/India), Dassault Mirage 2000-5 (France), F-16 Block 50/52+ (USA), HAL Tejas Mk1A (India), JAS 39 Gripen C/D (Sweden), and Dassault Rafale (France).
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