Can India's AMCA Outmaneuver Korea's KF-21 in Gulf Market?

The recent surge of diplomatic exchanges between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and South Korea has sparked speculation of a potential collaboration on the KF-21 "Boramae" fighter jet program. This development could open a significant opportunity for India's own 5th generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

While the KF-21 is an advanced 4.5 generation fighter, it lacks an internal weapons bay, a defining characteristic of true 5th generation aircraft. Although a Block III variant with an internal bay is slated for the 2030s, this timeline aligns with the projected introduction of India's AMCA MkI, designed as a genuine 5th generation fighter from inception.

The KF-21's earlier availability may appeal to Gulf nations seeking immediate advanced capabilities. However, the AMCA, with its promise of superior stealth technology and next-generation avionics, could prove a more enduring solution.

India's Potential Role​

Indian defense officials could leverage this situation by approaching their Gulf counterparts, showcasing the AMCA's potential and proposing collaborative ventures. This could involve joint development or technology transfer agreements.

India can highlight the progress made on the AMCA program, including successful test flights and technological advancements. Emphasizing the AMCA's projected earlier availability compared to the Block III KF-21 could provide a strategic edge.

Challenges and Considerations​

While the AMCA presents a compelling alternative, India must address certain challenges. The AMCA is still under development, necessitating clear communication regarding its final capabilities and timelines.

Furthermore, India may need to overcome concerns regarding its experience in developing and deploying such complex aircraft. Partnering with established aerospace companies could enhance its credibility in this regard.

 

[Bharat007]

Why call AMCA as a true 5 gen-fighter jet when it's prototype is not even rolled out yet? As of now, on paper only AMCA is 5 gen but reality is far from realising... One can't be so sure given the bad history of India while making fighter jets. Any comparison between them are mere speculative and based on projected capabilities rather than actual performance.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Who writes these articles?
KF-21 is a flying prototype and AMCA is still looking-at/ Planning-to/ eyeing/gearing-up on drawing board.

This not media's foresight, this is media being a joke predicting AMCA's export vis-a-vis KF-21's genuine demand in the international market.

We can talk once an actual AMCA prototype takes to the runway.

Till then, they can compare KF-21's export projection with AMCA's or Mig-21's or even Pushpak Viman's, it doesn't change the fact that we are far behind in the 5th generation game. Nevertheless, creativity has no limit.

 

[Hegde Deepak]

These kind of articles are not even worthy of laughing at ! One has to be exceptionally dumb to compare a proper flying aircraft with something that is not even going to available till the next decade !! Not just compare but talk about exports as well ! The website is excellent , but hope the editor can be selective in publishing at least logical articles !!

 

[Sudha]

🤣😂😆😄🤣😁😆😂 Is there a chance for AMCA? If it was toy plane competition (& not on paper) then think "AMCA" might have a chance. Saudi AF is not IAF which waits patiently till eternity for even 4+ gen light fighters.

 

[M S Chatterji]

South Korea is technologically better advanced and has access to American technology with ease. Moreover they are not put behind by the processes and procedures of government owned DRDO. Hence KF-21 flies earlier then it is no surprise.

 

[Bharat007]

Indians must learn to appreciate the success of the enemies and neighbours in such fields instead of dismissing them with jealousy. It is important to recognize and understand the successes of others, including neighbors and even rivals. This can provide valuable lessons and insights, and it can help foster a more realistic and pragmatic approach to both personal and national development. Jealousy can cloud judgment and lead to missed opportunities for growth and learning lessons. Instead, focusing on learning from others' successes can help improve strategies and outcomes in various areas.

 

[Sudha]

South Korea is technologically better advanced and has access to American technology with ease. Moreover they are not put behind by the processes and procedures of government owned DRDO. Hence KF-21 flies earlier then it is no surprise.

What you say is true. But the article is indeed funny.

 

[Anant]

Yeah, not happening. Why? The biggest reason is because KAI actually delivers stuff and the KF-21 actually exists, whereas HAL mostly delivers promises and purchase orders for samosa and chai materials, and because AMCA is still gearing up / moving towards / inching closer to / well on the way to / approaching the prototyping stage.

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Interests will only grow when you have a flying prototype. We dont even have a tejas mk2 prototype, but we expect them to be interested in our products? Amca programme is going on for last 10 yrs, and its still 10 years away. World is going towards 6th gen and here we are waiting fir eternity fir every product.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Indians must learn to appreciate the success of the enemies and neighbours in such fields instead of dismissing them with jealousy. It is important to recognize and understand the successes of others, including neighbors and even rivals. This can provide valuable lessons and insights, and it can help foster a more realistic and pragmatic approach to both personal and national development. Jealousy can cloud judgment and lead to missed opportunities for growth and learning lessons. Instead, focusing on learning from others' successes can help improve strategies and outcomes in various areas.

The problem is that we believe we are the best and there is nothing to learn from anyone. Specially DPSU's and Govt labs sell dreams ( which are actually lemons!) to MOD, that they can do anything under the sun !

 

[PKPRS]

Let the smart Arabs buy them, they were once made to believe that a $300Mln 4.5 gen jet is same as F35 and they went shopping for that jet in flocks 🐑🐑🐑🐧🐦🐤, we don't need it.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

The problem is that we believe we are the best and there is nothing to learn from anyone. Specially DPSU's and Govt labs sell dreams ( which are actually lemons!) to MOD, that they can do anything under the sun !

well, if they dont do that the armed forces will just run to foreign companies and import stuff.
Key is that there should be balance.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

well, if they dont do that the armed forces will just run to foreign companies and import stuff.
Key is that there should be balance.

lol! “ Armed forces will just to import stuff “ ! Does this comment even make sense ? If the products they want are not there and not even on the near term horizon, what are they supposed to do if not import?? Live on false promises without timelines ?

 

[పవన్కుమార్]

Nevertheless the fighter AMCA or KAI Boramae show case its super manoeuvrability it is no fith gen fighter jet aircraft.

AMCA or Boramae must have ,

1. Super manoeuvrability
2. Super cruise on dry thrust
3. Stealth( RAM + Radar Deflection design)
4. Internal wepons bay
5. Advance GaN AESA radar & Multi spectral radar waves reciever sensors fused and blended into aircraft body.
6. Advanced Sensor fusion with Super computing for Situational Awareness.

to be recognised as true fifth generation Fighter aircraft.

It is no fifth gen fighter aircraft even if it is on paper or on runway.
But Borame is ahead in race to AMCA .
And Bhaarath is at now in

1. USA,
2. RUSSIA,
3. CHINA,
4. JAPAN,
5. SOUTH KOREA
6. TURKEY.
7. BHAARATH.
8. PAKISTAN.
9. SWEDEN.

Position. And it is coz of our nation citizens who were mostly by Scientists ,Politicians and lastly righteous non tax payer Bhaaratheeyans.

 

[Rajsm]

🤣😂😆😄🤣😁😆😂 Is there a chance for AMCA? If it was toy plane competition (& not on paper) then think "AMCA" might have a chance. Saudi AF is not IAF which waits patiently till eternity for even 4+ gen light fighters.

I Respectfully disagree.
A Toy plane may fly with batteries.
AMCA will only fly if Rajnath Singh makes a paper plane with its plans and throws it in the air powered by his loud Hunkaaat

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

ADA not interested in joint development. Including hal. Never bother about advantages of joint development.

 

[Bharat007]

AMCA Mk-1 will feature limited stealth. AMCA is inspired by the F-35, which has no rear aspect radio frequency and stealth but does feature a suppressed IR signature. The AMCA will feature no rear aspect stealth – neither RF nor IR.

Based on track records and penchant for over-projection, there is little doubt that DRDO and HAL leadership will be forced to push back timelines.

 

[Bharat007]

Nevertheless the fighter AMCA or KAI Boramae show case its super manoeuvrability it is no fith gen fighter jet aircraft.

AMCA or Boramae must have ,

1. Super manoeuvrability
2. Super cruise on dry thrust
3. Stealth( RAM + Radar Deflection design)
4. Internal wepons bay
5. Advance GaN AESA radar & Multi spectral radar waves reciever sensors fused and blended into aircraft body.
6. Advanced Sensor fusion with Super computing for Situational Awareness.

to be recognised as true fifth generation Fighter aircraft.

It is no fifth gen fighter aircraft even if it is on paper or on runway.
But Borame is ahead in race to AMCA .
And Bhaarath is at now in

1. USA,
2. RUSSIA,
3. CHINA,
4. JAPAN,
5. SOUTH KOREA
6. TURKEY.
7. BHAARATH.
8. PAKISTAN.
9. SWEDEN.

Position. And it is coz of our nation citizens who were mostly by Scientists ,Politicians and lastly righteous non tax payer Bhaaratheeyans.

AMCA Mk-1 will feature limited stealth. AMCA is inspired by the F-35, which has no rear aspect radio frequency and stealth but does feature a suppressed IR signature. The AMCA will feature no rear aspect stealth – neither RF nor IR.

Engine that HAL is going to use on AMCA Mk1 doesn't have thrust vectoring capability. This will make it less super maneuvrability and also less stealth.

 

[The Presence]

AMCA Mk-1 will feature limited stealth. AMCA is inspired by the F-35, which has no rear aspect radio frequency and stealth but does feature a suppressed IR signature. The AMCA will feature no rear aspect stealth – neither RF nor IR.

Based on track records and penchant for over-projection, there is little doubt that DRDO and HAL leadership will be forced to push back timelines.

F-35 has serrated engine nozzles, which reduces RCS along with IR signature.

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

The problem is that we believe we are the best and there is nothing to learn from anyone. Specially DPSU's and Govt labs sell dreams ( which are actually lemons!) to MOD, that they can do anything under the sun !

Dreams of what really ? We have the best light combat jet in the world , we have the best short range anti-air missile system known as akash , we have a better tank than T90MS , we have SMART.

DPSUs are not one of the best , but I hardly remember when the GOI tries to improve the efficiency of DPSUs , i remember of this year only of DRDO and few years back of OFB

We make radars , avionics, stealth paint , missiles, fly-by-wire system during Tejas crash showed its class.

We get peanuts in R&D , Just look at the allocation of funds for AMCA prototype and to make new systems from scratch & not to forget DRDO job is to pass on the technology to private players , HAL has now become just a integrator , in LCH also it will just assemble the products in its assembly line and most of the parts will be acquired from private players

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Why call AMCA as a true 5 gen-fighter jet when it's prototype is not even rolled out yet? As of now, on paper only AMCA is 5 gen but reality is far from realising... One can't be so sure given the bad history of India while making fighter jets. Any comparison between them are mere speculative and based on projected capabilities rather than actual performance.

We can't compare 2 different decades , We were restricted from technology accessibility in 1990's and early 2000's due to pokhran and then after US - INDIA nuclear deal we started getting access of western technology in late 2000's..

we have no private players , DPSUs were mainly doing screwdriving works , but we still made a light combat aircraft which is best in its class , we have seen the class of its fly by wire system in the Tejas crash.

Noone talks about the india's growth in economy in last 2 decades and IT growth , same started happening in the defence since last decade with skilled workers. We made a platform known as WHAP which is better than its American and brazilian counterpart , we have SMART , we make radars , missiles , Avionics and what not in a couple of years with a R&D cost like peanuts

Tejas has finally gone into serious production, we have seen how production varies from limited & serious . Our private players are matured than before...

So , kindly don't compare the progress of 2000-2010 with 2020-30

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

AMCA Mk-1 will feature limited stealth. AMCA is inspired by the F-35, which has no rear aspect radio frequency and stealth but does feature a suppressed IR signature. The AMCA will feature no rear aspect stealth – neither RF nor IR.

Engine that HAL is going to use on AMCA Mk1 doesn't have thrust vectoring capability. This will make it less super maneuvrability and also less stealth.

There are no details on the new engine whether it will have the feature of super cruise or not F414 will go into the MK1 , Mk2 will have a completely new engine specially designed for AMCA

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Yeah, not happening. Why? The biggest reason is because KAI actually delivers stuff and the KF-21 actually exists, whereas HAL mostly delivers promises and purchase orders for samosa and chai materials, and because AMCA is still gearing up / moving towards / inching closer to / well on the way to / approaching the prototyping stage.

One more thing on one side KAI plane based on the tech of F-35 & there is little R&D done by the KAI whereas AMCA will be based on the whole R&D done by Indian DPSUs & later on this 100% knowledge will be passed on to Indian Private players during production but I can't see that happening with KF-21.

 

[LP]

With speed you are going. Amca will be reality in 3100. Maybe

 

[Pad UwU]

by the time kf21 blk3/mk3 comes it's as true 5gen.... That aircraft is truly mature enough and many who buy it earlier will be get an upgrade to from their blk1/mk1 or blk2/mk2 into the lastest blk3/mk3 5gen version that had a internal bay.... While India's AMCA will still need further testing if only if HAL and it's partners are telling truth about a initial batch can be seen in 2030🙃😹 imagine AMCA is still a prototype in paper and we don't even know if it's real aircraft prototype has a internal weapons bay, HAL is overhyping it as a f35 contender of true 5gen🙃🤭

Or are we doom to waste another funds and prescious time when it's decades delayed 🤔🧐 because of too much obsession of make in India policy for indigenization plus the addiction of ToT's whenever a foreign countries try to offer a weapons systems we are too greedy much for 100% tech transfer but we always whining about the price and we always want to pay cheaper 😹😹😹... To be honest most tech we got that other foreign companies that's sell us their thingies are not being utilize and use to improve our technology IP

 

[Pad UwU]

One more thing on one side KAI plane based on the tech of F-35 & there is little R&D done by the KAI whereas AMCA will be based on the whole R&D done by Indian DPSUs & later on this 100% knowledge will be passed on to Indian Private players during production but I can't see that happening with KF-21.

The Koreans use their brains wisely enough and efficient.... While us Indian is still malding and coping of jealousy 😹😹😹

 

[Pad UwU]

Nevertheless the fighter AMCA or KAI Boramae show case its super manoeuvrability it is no fith gen fighter jet aircraft.

AMCA or Boramae must have ,

1. Super manoeuvrability
2. Super cruise on dry thrust
3. Stealth( RAM + Radar Deflection design)
4. Internal wepons bay
5. Advance GaN AESA radar & Multi spectral radar waves reciever sensors fused and blended into aircraft body.
6. Advanced Sensor fusion with Super computing for Situational Awareness.

to be recognised as true fifth generation Fighter aircraft.

It is no fifth gen fighter aircraft even if it is on paper or on runway.
But Borame is ahead in race to AMCA .
And Bhaarath is at now in

1. USA,
2. RUSSIA,
3. CHINA,
4. JAPAN,
5. SOUTH KOREA
6. TURKEY.
7. BHAARATH.
8. PAKISTAN.
9. SWEDEN.

Position. And it is coz of our nation citizens who were mostly by Scientists ,Politicians and lastly righteous non tax payer Bhaaratheeyans.

Our most talented scientist and engineers are mostly British, European and US citizen that loves dollar and great career.... While the rest here are just doing white collar jobs🤭😹

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Our most talented scientist and engineers are mostly British, European and US citizen that loves dollar and great career.... While the rest here are just doing white collar jobs🤭😹

And why wouldn't they love the dollar and a great career?
They owe nothing to the government of India.
Most of them belong to general category and did not receive any government support their entire life. They persevered in the face of social discrimination and neckbreak competition to carve a niche for themselves acadeimically or financially.

All their formative years of life, their relationship with the government has been mostly transactional. So where is the inventive for the people to "Give Back"?

Why would they need to have a slightest iota of guilt for fulfiling their dreams in another country.

Let the burden of serving the governmemt of India befall those who are benificiaries of the current system of governance.

 

[desigandu]

Good goal but thinking of exports when we don’t even have a prototype is useless…