China’s aerospace industry has once again taken the global defence community by surprise, unveiling not one but two new stealth fighter aircraft believed to be either fifth or sixth-generation combat fighters. These clearly futuristic jets, were showcased to planespotters in signature ‘look at me’ fashion, allowing just enough exposure to spark widespread international intrigue on December 26 and affording imagery of just enough resolution to trigger cogent analysis of capability.
At the outset, this calculated unveiling underscores China’s long held ambition to solidify its position as a leading innovator in military aviation that’s specifically taking on the west.
Those watching Chinese air power know these two aircraft aren’t the first of their kind. These latest unveilings mark the third and fourth next-generation fighter designs China has brought to light, following the operational success of the Chengdu J-20 and the ongoing development of the Shenyang J-35. The J-20, already produced in significant numbers, has become a mainstay of the Chinese Air Force, demonstrating purported stealth capabilities and advanced avionics. Meanwhile, the J-35 has been undergoing rigorous flight testing and will be headed into operational service too. The addition of the two new concept jets, which demonstrate radical new airframes and clear innovation, further cements China’s relentless pursuit of technological parity with the United States, the acknowledged global leader in the domain of stealth future-facing combat aircraft.
The unveiling of these aircraft sends a powerful message to both allies and competitors. For the United States, it’s a clear signal that China is not only aggressively trying to close the gap but is committed to shaping the future of air combat with a diversified and advanced fleet. The presence of multiple next-generation programs indicates a robust and well-funded research and development pipeline, bolstered by an industrial complex capable of translating blueprints into operational reality at an impressive rate. There’s an open debate on the quality and efficacy of Chinese aircraft, but there can be no debate on the determination with which China has harnessed homegrown muscle to keep things running at a very fast pace.
As a reader of Livefist, your natural question must be — but what about India? Where do we stand when it comes to next generation fighter aircraft. As it happens, the implications of China’s latest offerings are perhaps most stark when viewed from the perspective of India. While China races ahead with its third and fourth next-gen fighter design, India’s efforts in this sphere remain frustratingly far from the finish line. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter project, is still years away from even a flying prototype. Delays in development, pathologically poor planning, bureaucratic hurdles, and an over-reliance on imported hardware—particularly engines—have plagued India’s fighter programs for years. While China literally has four next-generation fighters in the air, it is telling that India is currently struggling to induct even the first improved variants of its fourth-generation Tejas Mk1A fighters, with procurement and production schedules consistently falling behind targets thanks to an unavoidable dependence on foreign-built engines that power these planes.
India’s comparative stagnation in aerospace development is compounded by its urgent need to replenish depleting squadron strength. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been forced to accelerate plans to import foreign fighters to bridge critical gaps, a stopgap measure that underscores the absence of a coherent long-term strategy. In contrast, China’s methodical approach to capability building—from the development of indigenous engines to the establishment of a mature industrial base—has positioned it as a formidable player in the global air power race. We can debate till kingdom come about the how China has fewer constraints than India. And that China has been an unethical stealer of technology which it willfully reverse-engineers to build out its new programs. But that still doesn’t mean China has nothing to show for it.
The comparison between the two Asian giants is telling. While China can now boast of four next-generation fighter programs in various stages of maturity, India has yet to deliver on its first. This disparity highlights not only the differences in technological capability but also in strategic foresight and execution. China’s aggressive development cycle reflects a clear understanding of the geopolitical and tactical advantages conferred by air superiority and the future battlefield in which highly digitised and networked aircraft will operate. In contrast, India’s challenges in aerospace development reveal systemic issues that extend beyond individual projects, encompassing policy, funding, and industrial capability. The glow of China’s new aircraft illuminates just how much India has failed to do to keep up.
As the air power race intensifies, the stakes for regional and global security could not be higher. China’s advancements serve as both a warning and a wake-up call, not just for India but for the broader international community. The gap in capabilities is a reminder that in the high-stakes arena of military aviation, success is determined not only by ambition but by the ability to translate vision into reality—a lesson that India can ill afford to ignore.
In this rapidly evolving environment, the IAF must make tough decisions about its fighter fleet composition to maintain a credible deterrence and operational edge. At the very least, the IAF should reconsider the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2, prioritize expanding orders of the LCA Mk1A, expand its Rafale fleet with a localised production line that supplies both the Indian Air Force and Navy, and throw everything into the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
This isn’t the first time Livefist has hosted opinion suggesting a full focus on the AMCA, but do read on.
- Operational Redundancy of the LCA Mk2
The LCA Mk2 is designed as a medium-weight fighter to bridge the gap between the LCA Mk1A and heavier multirole aircraft like the Rafale. However, its development timeline poses a significant risk. With China’s next-generation stealth fighters already unveiled, the LCA Mk2 may arrive too late to address immediate challenges while offering capabilities that overlap with existing and future platforms.
Moreover, the LCA Mk2’s medium-weight role overlaps with the Rafale, which is already operational and combat-proven. Given finite resources, the IAF should avoid duplicating capabilities and instead focus on platforms that align with the long-term vision of countering stealth and advanced aerial threats.
- Immediate Need for More LCA Mk1A Squadrons
The LCA Mk1A is a lightweight, cost-effective, and indigenous fighter that has already been refined for operational readiness. Accelerating the induction of additional LCA Mk1A squadrons serves two critical purposes:
Filling the Numerical Gap: The IAF faces a pressing shortfall in fighter squadrons, with numbers well below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The LCA Mk1A can be produced and inducted relatively quickly, providing a much-needed boost to squadron numbers.
Enhancing Indigenous Capability: By focusing on the LCA Mk1A, the IAF supports India’s defense industry and strengthens indigenous production capabilities. This approach aligns with the broader ‘Make in India’ initiative.
- Expansion of the Rafale Fleet
The Rafale’s proven capabilities in electronic warfare, multirole combat, and nuclear delivery make it an invaluable asset in the IAF’s arsenal. Ordering 2-3 additional squadrons would:
Address Capability Gaps: The Rafale’s superior range, advanced avionics, and combat performance make it an ideal counter to Chinese and Pakistani threats. Expanding the Rafale fleet ensures the IAF maintains an edge over regional adversaries.
Synergy with Existing Infrastructure: With Rafales already operational and supported by dedicated infrastructure and logistics chains, additional squadrons can be integrated seamlessly, avoiding the delays and costs associated with introducing an entirely new platform.
- Prioritization of the AMCA Program
The AMCA is at least the start to India’s answer to next-generation aerial threats, offering stealth capabilities, advanced avionics, and multirole flexibility. Channeling resources into the AMCA program is critical for several reasons:
Stealth Capabilities: With China’s stealth fighters entering the fray, the IAF needs a comparable platform. The AMCA promises to deliver indigenous stealth technology tailored to India’s specific operational requirements.
Strategic Autonomy: Investing in the AMCA reduces dependence on foreign platforms in the long term, fostering technological self-reliance.
Resource Allocation: The financial and technical resources required for the AMCA are significant. By streamlining efforts away from the LCA Mk2 and focusing on the AMCA, the IAF can ensure the program’s timely development and induction.
The IAF stands at a critical juncture as it confronts the dual challenges of modernizing its fleet and countering advanced threats from China and Pakistan. Dropping the LCA Mk2 in favor of additional LCA Mk1A and Rafale squadrons, while prioritizing the AMCA program, offers a pragmatic path forward. This approach not only addresses immediate operational requirements but also ensures the IAF’s long-term strategic superiority in a rapidly evolving threat environment.