Now Reading: India lags in 5th-gen fighter race, eyes French 6th-gen programme
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India lags in 5th-gen fighter race, eyes French 6th-gen programme
Turkey's KAAN fifth-generation fighter has completed powered taxi trials, with its first flight in 2024 and initial deliveries expected by 2028. India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains in the design phase…
The Story in Brief
Turkey's KAAN fifth-generation fighter has completed powered taxi trials, with its first flight in 2024 and initial deliveries expected by 2028. India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) remains in the design phase with no prototype built; the first flight is unlikely before the early 2030s. India faces delays in engine selection and stealth material development. A deal for the GE F414 engine, agreed with the US, has stalled due to cost escalations.
Meanwhile, India is in talks to join France-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter programme. The Ministry of Defence informed Parliament that efforts are being initiated to co-join the project, after Germany exited over disagreements on carrier operability. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron discussed co-development, and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh visited France in June. The FCAS first flight is expected in 2028-29.
The Indian Opinion
Turkey's KAAN demonstrates that an aggressive prototyping timeline can compress development, while India's AMCA remains trapped in design loops and foreign engine dependency. The talk of joining a French sixth-generation programme sounds ambitious, but India has not completed a single fifth-generation airframe. Joining FCAS will not solve the AMCA's delays. The real test is whether India can produce a flying AMCA prototype within five years; until then, these announcements risk sounding like theatre.
Sources (2): timesofindia.indiatimes.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
