Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has expressed serious doubts regarding recent Chinese claims of having flown a sixth-generation fighter jet.
Speaking at the India Today Conclave 2025, the Air Chief Marshal emphasized that simply achieving flight with a new airframe is insufficient to categorize an aircraft as a true sixth-generation fighter.
Earlier this year, reports originating from Chinese state media outlets and aviation publications suggested that the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) had successfully completed the first flight of a sixth-generation fighter prototype.
These reports, often accompanied by limited visual evidence and ambiguous details, fueled speculation about China's rapid advancement in aerospace technology and its ambition to surpass other global powers in the development of next-generation air combat capabilities.
China's progress in military aviation is notable, with the J-20, a fifth-generation stealth fighter, already in service, and other advanced platforms reportedly in development.
However, Air Chief Marshal voiced strong reservations about the validity of these claims. "Many have doubts on the Chinese sixth-generation fighter claim that was allegedly flown earlier this year and what all capabilities it has," he stated, suggesting a need for a more rigorous assessment of the aircraft's capabilities.
He highlighted the need for caution, stressing that a sixth-generation aircraft must possess a full spectrum of advanced capabilities beyond merely taking to the air.
While a universally accepted definition of a sixth-generation fighter jet remains elusive, as no such aircraft is currently in operational service worldwide, Air Chief Marshal explained that "just having an airframe flying is not good enough—it should have the capabilities." Experts generally agree such an aircraft would likely incorporate features that allow for gaining significant advantage.
Air Chief Marshal's skepticism implies that China's alleged sixth-generation prototype may not yet possess the complete set of characteristics typically associated with this next level of fighter technology.
The lack of verifiable information regarding the aircraft's systems, performance data, and overall integration raises concerns that the claim may be premature, potentially serving more as a strategic propaganda than a demonstrable technological leap. The development of advanced fighter aircraft is a complex and lengthy process, and true sixth-generation capabilities are expected to represent a paradigm shift in aerial warfare.
