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Source-This post on Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft has been created based on the article “5th generation fighter jet project gets CCS approval” published in “The Hindu” on 7 March 2024.
Why in the news?
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has recently approved the project for the design and development of India’s fifth-generation fighter jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
What is Fifth Generation Aircraft?
Fifth generation aircraft are advanced multirole fighter jets capable of operating in highly contested combat environments against the most capable current and foreseeable threats.
Characteristics
Stealth: Multi-spectral low observable design features to evade detection.
Advanced Avionics: Integrated systems for real-time data fusion and situational awareness.
Self-Protection: Radar jamming and robust defense mechanisms.
Network-Centric Operations: Enhanced communication and coordination with other assets.
Pilot Role Enhancement: Pilots act as mission commanders, not just operators.
Indigenization of Fifth Generation Aircraft
India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a ₹15,000 crore project to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet. This project, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will place India among the select few nations with indigenous fifth-generation aircraft.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
| Aspect | Details |
| Description | It is an Indian fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft. It is being developed for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. |
| Designed by | It is designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) – an Aircraft Design Agency under Ministry of Defence. |
| Production | It will be produced by a public-private joint venture between the DRDO, HAL and an Indian private company. |
| Specification | 1) It is designed as a single-seat, twin-engine combat aircraft. 2) Weight- 25-tonne twin-engine stealth aircraft with an internal weapons bay and Diverterless Supersonic Intake. This has been developed in India for the first time. |
| Significance | 1) It will perform operations like Air supremacy, Ground-Strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Electronic Warfare (EW) missions. 2) It will replace the Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter, which forms the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet. |
Other Fifth-Generation Fighters
Countries with fifth-generation fighters include the US (F-22 Raptor, F-35A Lightning II), China (J-20 Mighty Dragon), and Russia (Sukhoi Su-57).
IAF’s Dwindling Numbers
The IAF currently operates around 30 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42. This number is expected to decrease further as MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s are phased out by the mid-2030s
Read more-Tejas, world’s lightest fighter, is battle ready
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