IAF's Reliance on 4.5+ Gen Fighters Could Hinder Long-Term Tech Parity Amid Global Shift to 5th and 6th Gen, Warns Analysts

The Indian Air Force's (IAF) recent plan to significantly expand its fighter jet fleet with 4.5+ generation aircraft has sparked debate among defence analysts.

While acknowledging the IAF's need to modernize, some experts have raised concerns that this strategy may not be aligned with the global trend towards 5th and 6th generation fighter technology, potentially hindering India's ability to maintain technological parity in the long term.

The IAF has placed orders for 83 Tejas Mk1A and an additional 97 units of this 4.5 generation light combat aircraft, with induction planned from 2025 onwards. These jets offer improved avionics, radar, and electronic warfare capabilities compared to the original Tejas.

Furthermore, the IAF plans to acquire 200 units of the Tejas MkII between 2025 and 2035. The MkII represents a further step up, with increased range, payload, and improved stealth features.

The IAF is also looking to induct 110 medium-weight fighter jets under the MMRCA 2.0 tender, focusing on 4.5 generation aircraft. This move is seen as a strategy to replace aging fleets and maintain combat readiness while awaiting the indigenous 5th generation AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

However, defence analysts argue that while this approach addresses immediate operational needs, it may not be sufficient in the rapidly evolving landscape of aerial warfare.

By the time these 4.5+ generation jets are fully integrated into the IAF, several countries will have already deployed or be in advanced stages of deploying 5th generation jets like the F-35 or J-20, with some even looking towards 6th generation concepts. This could leave India at a technological disadvantage in future conflicts.

Analysts point out that investing in 4.5+ generation jets, while necessary for maintaining squadron strength, may be less future-proof compared to prioritizing stealth technology and AI integration, hallmarks of newer generation aircraft.

They also highlight a historical pattern of India sometimes rushing acquisitions in response to regional power dynamics, potentially leading to "panic buying" rather than strategic foresight. This could become a concern if Pakistan or China significantly advance their stealth capabilities before India's AMCA project matures.

While the IAF's focus on 4.5+ generation fighters is understandable given current operational needs and budgetary constraints, it is crucial to maintain a long-term perspective. India must continue to invest in research and development for 5th and 6th generation fighter technologies to ensure it remains at the forefront of aerial warfare capabilities in the coming decades.

 

Indian Army Favours Hydrogen-Powered HMV Trucks in Non-Combat Operations, Citing EV Charging Limitations and Operational Costs Unverified Images Suggest China's Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet Has Flown, Potentially Challenging US Air Dominance

[sanket]

4.5th-gen jets are necessary rather than jumping directly to 5th or 6th gen. Second, the maintenance of 5th and 6th-gen jets is higher. The F-35, apart from maintenance, per-flight-hour cost, and entire life cycle cost compared to 4.5th gen, where does it stand? In an all-40-year life cycle, 4.5 gen costs less. Where is the F-35 in the Ukraine & Israel war?

 

[PKPRS]

There will definitely be another panic buying

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

IAF is going in the right direction. They should also order additional 36 Rafales and 72 Sukhoi 30 aircrafts along with 97 Tejas MK1A and 108 Tejas MK2. It would be the best practical solution. All these armchair experts cannot look beyond F35 or SU57.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Solution could be do not import 4.5 gen jets in MRFA. We will be producing LCA MK1A and Mk2 in large numbers in next 10 years. Limit the numbers of LCA MK2 and increase the number of AMCA. For now we need to import few squadrons of SU57. Since we under invest in our own R&D in the times of emergency imports have to be forced. This is a perfect set up for making babus happy. We have to invest more R&D and create associated infra.

 

[Dr]

Though we need these 4.5 + generation jets too we have to take immediate decision on buying atleast 4 Squadron of SU 57 as they will be only available options for fast induction till our 5.5 + aircrafts start coming as even USA approved F35 it will not be avilable for many years due to long pending orders & most probably USA will not approve

 

[Hardik]

4.5th-gen jets are necessary rather than jumping directly to 5th or 6th gen. Second, the maintenance of 5th and 6th-gen jets is higher. The F-35, apart from maintenance, per-flight-hour cost, and entire life cycle cost compared to 4.5th gen, where does it stand? In an all-40-year life cycle, 4.5 gen costs less. Where is the F-35 in the Ukraine & Israel war?

What is the use of these fighters if there is a full-fledged war with China? You may know they already flew their first 6th-gen fighter; will low-cost fighters help us win the war? Then why don't we go for some 3rd-gen fighters? Their cost is much lower than these 4th or 4.5-gen fighters. You are forgetting why we need fighters; they are for our country's defence, and not a showpiece.

 

[Renu Sri]

Stop this nonsense. France does not have a 5th-gen fighter yet. Does it mean it is lagging behind China, which named a fighter as 5th gen? People know that China is not matured enough in 4.5th-gen engine manufacturing yet. Just because they adopted frontal designs on 5th gen, everyone is giving knee-jerk reactions.

4.5th-gen fighters are irreplaceable, at least for the next 20 years. Ignorant idiots should not forget that the USA still operates 4.5-gen fighters and will continue to do so for a reasonable time.

Just because you bought a budget Chinese car, your high-performing superbike will not go obsolete.

 

[Andy]

4.5 required for low-cost air patrolling. Tejas RCS may be better than Chinese 5th gen. We should invest in radar to render stealth useless.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Bharat's great fighter, 40 Tejas Mk1, is equipped to handle 6th-gen fighters with ease, and also we have 36 Rafales, known as the tip of the spear. In three to four years, we will have at least two squadrons of the world-beater Mk1A. Modiji is right in not buying imported jets. Vocal for local.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Stop this nonsense. France does not have a 5th-gen fighter yet. Does it mean it is lagging behind China, which named a fighter as 5th gen? People know that China is not matured enough in 4.5th-gen engine manufacturing yet. Just because they adopted frontal designs on 5th gen, everyone is giving knee-jerk reactions.

4.5th-gen fighters are irreplaceable, at least for the next 20 years. Ignorant idiots should not forget that the USA still operates 4.5-gen fighters and will continue to do so for a reasonable time.

Just because you bought a budget Chinese car, your high-performing superbike will not go obsolete.

Does France face a threat from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh? As it is also a NATO member, any attack on her will be defended by 25 countries, including the US. All NATO members except France have 5th-generation fighters. Do you know how many 5th-generation fighters the US has, along with 4.5-gen planes? Approximately 160 F-22s and 600 F-35s, and 1800 more are to be acquired.

 

[Renu Sri]

Does France face a threat from China, Pakistan, and Bangladesh? As it is also a NATO member, any attack on her will be defended by 25 countries, including the US. All NATO members except France have 5th-generation fighters. Do you know how many 5th-generation fighters the US has, along with 4.5-gen planes? Approximately 160 F-22s and 600 F-35s, and 1800 more are to be acquired.

The point is, the emergence of so-called 5th and 6th-gen fighters will not make 4.5-gen fighters obsolete.

They are like infantry!

Since France needs to sell performing fighter planes, they cannot bullshit about 5th and 6th-gen fighters like China. They can call their fighter planes 10th gen as well, but as long as they are not seeing actual combat or decent foreign customers, we don't know their true capabilities.

China was struggling to build decent 4th-gen fighter engines until recently, but now you want to believe they mastered 6th-gen engines?

 

[Puneet]

Chinese fighters are stealth only on paper and they know it. That's why India is not worried. Rafale are better than J20. We just need to procure more of these. AMCA is also on the way.

 

[bonito]

The strategy of interim buying to fill the gap at required intervals is working. One cannot manufacture 5th-gen or 6th-gen without mastering 4.5-gen. Which country did leapfrogging? And we have not stopped investing in 5th-gen until 4.5-gen aircraft are inducted. We are doing research. So until we master 4.5, we do this panic buying. Leapfrogging is not a practical approach.

 

[Sheevom Doobey]

Not to worry, just build some squadrons of UCAV & stealth bombers to bridge the gap.