The Indian Air Force is one of the most advanced defense forces in the world with a fleet that can put any country to shame. The IAF has the most advanced fighter jet fleet in the region and in the world. However, India still lacks a 5th generation fighter jet, which is considered to be the most advanced fighter jet in the world and only a few countries in the world have this type of aircraft. To give an insight, the United States has Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, while China has a Chengdu J-20 and Russia has a Sukhoi Su-57. These are the only three countries that have advanced 5th generation fighter aircraft. On the other hand, India is preparing its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program to compete with these countries.
Former Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria announced that the development of 5th generation advanced multi-role fighter aircraft has been started. In a recent tweet, the wind tunnel model of the AMCA was revealed, highlighting the design of the fighter jet. As can be seen in the image, the jet will get a dual engine configuration.
Finally a pretty clear image of the AMCA’s wind-tunnel model of India.
Although not sure if this represents the selected configuration?!
(via Image @Rotarran From SecretProjects Forum) pic.twitter.com/hkOI3jWg6x— @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) 6 August 2022
IAF’s most advanced fighter jet
If we look at the current fleet of the Indian Air Force, India has mostly foreign sourced fighter jets, except the HAL-built Tejas LCA, which will serve as the first line of defense for India and the older MiG-21 Bison. will take its place. However, among the most advanced aircraft with the IAF is the French-made Dassault Rafale, which is the best 4.5 gen aircraft. While India may get the Russian-made Sukhoi Su-57 as its most advanced fighter jet, the IAF has stood firm for indigenous weapon platforms and will rely on the supersonic AMCA, which is developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Developed by Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL).
AMCA Wind Tunnel Model
As seen in the Twitter image, the key features are the diverterless supersonic inlet (DSi) and a 3D ‘bump’ that prevents radar waves from bouncing off the engine blades/turbine, making it a stealth jet. The jet is seen sporting an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) atop the nose cone with an Active Electronically Scan Array (AESA) radar, which is used to enhance medium and long range detection of targets.
5th gen fighter jet made in india
The AMCA will be the backbone of the IAF in the coming decades, and the Indian Air Force is not looking to induct the 5th Gen jet made abroad until the AMCA is formed. A naval version of the 5th generation fighter aircraft will also be developed for the Indian Navy. The aircraft will have a high level of stealth, capability to carry weapons both internally and externally, internal fuel capability, super cruise and air-to-air-to-ground attack roles. The AMCA will primarily include targets beyond visual range, it will also feature a powerful thrust vectoring engine for super maneuverability for superior dogfighting capabilities.