Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll

[Yasser76]

Let them have their moments

Fair enough, just thread turns into some schoolboy fantasy of (AMCA in 3 years, ASTRA MK4 with 500km range, 30 new AEW planes etc etc) instead of grounded discussion.

The quality of content is so poor

 

[CallSignMaverick]

Indian S-400 equivalent

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[CallSignMaverick]

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[Ali_Baba]

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More NETRA AEW&C or a new platform eg E7 or Globaleye ?

 

[CallSignMaverick]

More NETRA AEW&C or a new platform eg E7 or Globaleye ?

There's two programmes Netra Mk1A and Netra Mk2. Most likely Mk1A as the Mk2 project already got CCS approval.

 

[Dark-Lord]

India to Join Global Sixth-Generation Fighter Project: CDS General Chauhan​

NC Bipindra
44 minutes ago
 
India is likely to join one of the two global sixth-generation fighter jet projects, while no decision has been taken yet on the manufacturing of indigenous fifth-generation combat aircraft.

India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan informed a Parliamentary Committee on Defence that the nation was considering becoming a part of either of the two consortia building the sixth-generation fighters.

“We should not be left behind in such matters. Efforts are on to ensure that we become a part of one of the consortia and start thinking about sixth-generation fighters from now on,” General Chauhan said.

While one of the consortia has the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan as members, the other project has France and Germany.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence report with the details of General Chauhan’s comments was tabled in parliament on Wednesday (March 18, 2026).

Sixth-generation fighter jets are at the moment in a conception stage, with their features including advanced stealth, Artificial Intelligence, and the ability to seamlessly work with unmanned aerial vehicles.

The sixth-generation fighters are to replace the currently operational fifth-generation combat jets, such as the American F-35, Russian Su-57, and Chinese J-20 jets.

Regarding the Indian fifth-generation combat jet under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, General Chauhan told the parliamentary panel that the design and development of the fighter plane were ready, and discussions on the manufacturing of the AMCA were being considered for a final decision.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to induct six squadrons of AMCA from 2035. The IAF is at present down from its sanctioned 42.5 fighter squadrons to less than 30 squadrons following the retirement of the Soviet-era and Russian-origin MiG jets.

While the procurement programme for 114 Rafale fighters to meet the 4.5-generation aircraft requirements, IAF is also considering buying a few squadrons of the fifth-generation fighters, with two options in the American F-35 and Russian Su-57 on the table.

Meanwhile, the Indian Army informed the parliamentary panel that it was fully prepared to address the evolving character of hybrid warfare, encompassing both kinetic and conventional war fighting, and non-kinetic warfare that included cyber, electronic, information, and space.

The Indian Army said on the kinetic warfare front, the force maintained a high state of operational readiness along the borders through sustained training, realistic field exercises, infrastructure development, and capability enhancement.

It said modernisation efforts included the induction of advanced weapon systems, precision-strike munitions, networked communications, surveillance platforms, and improved mobility.

Sustained force modernisation and restructuring initiatives led to new organisational structures and validation of concepts under theatre-level exercises through enhanced rapid mobilisation and combined arms synergy, the parliamentary committee report said.

On the non-kinetic warfare front, the Indian Army recognised the growing salience of hybrid threats and strengthened capabilities in cyber and electronic warfare, spectrum management, counter-drone systems, and information warfare.

India to Join Global Sixth-Generation Fighter Project: CDS General Chauhan

India is likely to join one of the two global sixth-generation fighter jet projects, while no decision has been taken yet on the indigenous fifth-generation combat aircraft. India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan informed a Parliamentary Committee on Defence that the nation was...

rnamedia.in

 

[Dark-Lord]

CDS General Chauhan confirmed both FCAS and GCAP are being considered.

 

[Raj-Hindustani]

CDS General Chauhan confirmed both FCAS and GCAP are being considered.

Best part is not under HAL otherwise, no chance for atleast 20 years.

 

[zzw001]

GCAP appears to be the more technologically ambitious program. But India will want nuclear delivery + carrier compatibility, so FCAS is really the only option.

 

[Dark-Lord]

GCAP appears to be the more technologically ambitious program. But India will want nuclear delivery + carrier compatibility, so FCAS is really the only option.

No carrier capability demanded.

 

[Indos]

Do the European fighter consortium will accept India ?

It is just India side intention. India need to get acceptance first to join the program

 

[Indos]

Do the European fighter consortium will accept India ?

It is just India side intention. India need to get acceptance first to join the program

It will be pretty long even if the acceptance is gotten. There wil be negotiation on cost share, work share, TOT, number of plane to be bought based on the stake in the program, etc

For KF21 program, it is actually SK that ask Indonesia to join in 2009. It is before the development started in 2011 ( Technology development phase ( preliminary design was worked in this period) ).

So there is a need from the initiator to get Indonesia on board. But with this European program, that is not the case for India.

 

[Michael]

Do the European fighter consortium will accept India ?

The question you raised is not the main point, nor does any issue exist in this regard.

The real issue lies in the terms of negotiation set by the various parties involved.

How much funding is India willing to contribute? And what share of the ultimate benefits does it expect to receive?

If India is willing to join GCAP or FCAS in the same manner it originally participated in the "PAK FA (T-50/Su-57)" project, I imagine all parties would be more than happy to welcome its participation. After all, who wouldn't want a client that contributes nothing but cash while demanding absolutely no technical deliverables in return?

 

[Indos]

The question you raised is not the main point, nor does any issue exist in this regard.

The real issue lies in the terms of negotiation set by the various parties involved.

How much funding is India willing to contribute? And what share of the ultimate benefits does it expect to receive?

If India is willing to join GCAP or FCAS in the same manner it originally participated in the "PAK FA (T-50/Su-57)" project, I imagine all parties would be more than happy to welcome its participation. After all, who wouldn't want a client that contributes nothing but cash while demanding absolutely no technical deliverables in return?

Even Saudi Arabia is not yet able to join the European program until now. So the intention with cash and big promise to buy the plane will not ultimately secure Saudi as part of the program.

 

[东风夜放花千树]

We are more reliable.....

I suggest that India join China's sixth-generation aircraft project. We will specially manufacture an aircraft suitable for India according to India's situation, and then provide Pakistan with another aircraft suitable for Pakistan.