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India has the foundational capability and is poised to indigenously develop sixth-generation fighter jets in the near future, according to a high-level official from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
In a recent media interaction, K. Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General of Aeronautical Systems at DRDO, affirmed the nation's readiness to pursue this ambitious goal.
This declaration signals India's growing confidence in its aerospace design and manufacturing ecosystem and its aim to become one of the few nations capable of producing such advanced aerial combat systems.
The next evolution in military aviation, sixth-generation fighter jets are defined by a suite of futuristic technologies that will revolutionise air warfare.
These platforms are expected to feature enhanced stealth characteristics, the ability to travel at hypersonic speeds, and carry directed-energy weapons like lasers.
A core component of their design is the deep integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for autonomous operations and the ability to command swarms of unmanned drone aircraft, often called "loyal wingmen."
This marks a significant leap from fifth-generation aircraft, moving beyond networked warfare to a new level of human-machine collaboration and adaptive combat capabilities.
Ms. Menon highlighted that India's existing aeronautical projects have created a strong base for this futuristic endeavour.
The experience gained from developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a fourth-generation fighter, and the ongoing work on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's first fifth-generation stealth platform, have provided invaluable expertise.
She stated that the country's proficiency in critical areas such as aerodynamics, advanced materials, avionics, and sensor technology, combined with recent progress in AI, gives the organisation the confidence to undertake a sixth-generation program.
India's path toward self-reliance in military aviation has been a progressive journey. The successful induction of the LCA Tejas into the Indian Air Force has proven the country's ability to design and build a sophisticated combat aircraft from the ground up.
The AMCA project is now pushing that capability further, focusing on developing the complex stealth technologies and internal systems required for a modern fighter.
According to Ms. Menon, the knowledge and technological solutions emerging from these programs, supported by collaborations with private industries and academic institutions, will be the launchpad for the next-generation fighter project.
The DRDO's strategy, bolstered by the 'Make in India' initiative, focuses on creating a robust domestic defence industry.
Ms. Menon noted that the emphasis has shifted from merely assembling systems to designing and developing the core building blocks of advanced platforms.
This includes critical technologies like jet engines, AESA radars, and electronic warfare suites, which are essential for any future combat aircraft program.
Developing a sixth-generation fighter is an immensely complex and costly undertaking, and India faces significant challenges, including securing massive long-term funding and competing with accelerated development cycles in other countries.
Major global powers are already deep into their own programs; the United States is pursuing its Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) project, while a European consortium is developing the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
Similarly, a joint UK-Italy-Japan initiative called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is also underway.
Despite the global competition, Ms. Menon expressed confidence in India’s ability to succeed, citing the nation's skilled young workforce and the increasing role of private sector companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Tata in defence manufacturing.
With sustained government backing and clear strategic planning, she suggested that this milestone could be achieved within the next decade.
