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.

 

[desigandu]

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.

Reservations and affirmative action of any kind is a curse and actually damages the economy long term…yes there should be incentives and hand holding of the underprivileged but the current system is bad and should be revamped…

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

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 ?

they are supposed to invest in Research and development, build domestic capability. Rather than run to foreign vendor at first sign. Just look at the navy. We bought out first carrier, but then we built our next one ourselves. It took us 13 years to do it, we lacked the necessary expertise, but we persevered and developed domestic capability. Russians would have built a carrier for us at a much cheaper price, but we built it ourselves. And now we can build a vikrant class carrier in 7 years.

 

[Sudha]

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

Joint development? ADA is for designing & HAL is assembling from parts produced by others.

 

[Pad UwU]

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.

Who knows.... If they received any incentives or help from government when they were still underprivileged at the time before they pledge loyalty to a different country because it's provide them 💰🤑....
point is our bright minded people who is still left in India should get a nice career opportunities and nice salary from the likes of other major countries.... It'll motivate them in some ways to be honest...

hopefully our government and private sector see this simple problem IMHO 😺

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

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

They used widely because they are dependent on USA on technology and defence just like UK ,Japan dependence on USA...

while countries like JAPAN , UK & even South korea are moving out of US dependence as they have now understood in recent global conflicts that US fill choose a side which will benefit them in long term , whereas they will left ISRAEL during a major conflict and later give them a candy of Some billion $ as a relief package..

AMCA will be last jet to be inducted but I will be extremely happy that but the induction time around 2035 we will have our hands on 5th technology, avionics , radar , missiles we would be making everything in india , some through DPSUs and other through private players..

China played the same trick and now they are not dependent on Russia , and soon by next decade they will get expertise on every defence product through heavy R&D budgets

 

[Sandeep]

The gulf countries are not going to buy the Korean jet which isn’t even a 5th generation jet as they already have enough of 4.5th generation jets. They would only buy the F35 if they wanted to buy any stealth jet as the USA is their major arms supplier.

India is working on the AMCA and it needs to concentrate on that. Currently they should focus on developing the prototype so we can run the tests to ensure the technology, equipment, sensors etc is working properly and safely.

 

[Mridul baruah]

The answer to the question is a big fat NO. One is a flying prototype and the other is a paper fighter.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

If only HAL and ADA can keep to their timeline Indian defence industries could make Tejas Mk1A, AMCA, MWF and TEDBF more appealing to potential customers. Confidence is the key aspect to any customer who is shopping for new products. So far HAL has produced 40 Tejas which has been inducted in two squadrons. While Tejas production is in snail pace it's anyone's guess when will Tejas Mk1A production ever take off. With this uncertainties and predictable timeline I really wonder when will AMCA's first flight take to the sky. ADA and HAL can forecast whatever timeline but I am always disappointed with shifting the time line. By the time India comes up with 5th gen AMCA the Koreans will be marketing their KF 21 with 5th gen features.

Even private sectors are reluctant to participate in fighter aircraft programs primarily due to shifting of timeline. To private sectors every man hours counts in their business investment. Please don't get me wrong when I talk about timeline shifting. I am not expecting ADA and HAL is to rush in their planning, designing and first flight. I am merely concerned about two aspects. First, we have two threats from both sides of India. War does not come with an invitation. If war starts with one, the other nemesis will provoke from the other side. With depleted fighter squadrons in the IAF and managing with limited assets the Indian armed forces fighting power will be stretched out and incurring heavy casualties. Heavy casualties will bring frustration to our military personnel and could demoralise the soldiers will power. This is the reason why I in my opinion I feel the defence minister and CCS should understand the consequences and listen to senior military officers from IAF and their advice and suggestions to procure MRFA fighters soon as possible. Meantime ADA and HAL can take their own time to come up with Tejas Mk2 and AMCA. Just my opinion.

 

[Pad UwU]

They used widely because they are dependent on USA on technology and defence just like UK ,Japan dependence on USA...

while countries like JAPAN , UK & even South korea are moving out of US dependence as they have now understood in recent global conflicts that US fill choose a side which will benefit them in long term , whereas they will left ISRAEL during a major conflict and later give them a candy of Some billion $ as a relief package..

AMCA will be last jet to be inducted but I will be extremely happy that but the induction time around 2035 we will have our hands on 5th technology, avionics , radar , missiles we would be making everything in india , some through DPSUs and other through private players..

China played the same trick and now they are not dependent on Russia , and soon by next decade they will get expertise on every defence product through heavy R&D budgets

Yeah they depending on US and accelerated their development because they use their brains and let uncle Sam to let them get knowledge in a faster way....
but most of our Indian brother and sister are still malding and coping because our bureaucrats are slow

 

[Devasahayam]

Only if AMCA is "Zorowared" to a prototype real soon is this question even meaningful!

 

[Jessica Cheong]

Most probably the Amca wil fly their first plane when trio super powers producing the 6th gen jets