Indian Defence Community Calls for Prioritizing AMCA Fighter Jet Funding Over "Freebies" in Wake of China's 6th Gen Fighter Reveal

The Indian defence community is voicing a strong call to action on social media, urging the Government of India to prioritize funding for critical defence projects, particularly the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

This surge in online activism comes in the wake of China's recent revelation of its 6th generation fighter jets, highlighting a widening gap in aerial capabilities between the two nations.

The AMCA, India's ambitious 5th generation fighter jet project, has the potential to significantly bolster the nation's air power. However, the program has faced delays, with funding constraints cited as a major bottleneck.

The defence community argues that with China rapidly advancing its aerial warfare capabilities, India must keep pace to maintain regional security and sovereignty. The development of both 5th and 6th generation fighter technologies is seen as crucial to countering China's aggressive military modernization.

Online discussions are criticizing the allocation of taxpayer money towards what they perceive as "freebies" – welfare schemes and subsidies – while crucial defence projects remain underfunded.

A common sentiment expressed is, "Why are we giving freebies when our skies could be defended by homegrown 5th gen jets?" This reflects a growing concern that bureaucratic delays in clearing funds for defence projects like the AMCA are not only hindering progress but also potentially jeopardizing national security.

On platforms like defence.in, defence enthusiasts are actively debating the strategic implications of China's latest advancements, emphasizing the urgent need for India to accelerate its own fighter jet programs. There is palpable frustration with the pace of India's defence research and development, particularly in comparison to China's rapid progress.

It's important to note that the online discourse is not against welfare programs in principle. Rather, it emphasizes the need to prioritize national security in a time of escalating regional tensions. The argument is that sustainable security provides the foundation for all other developmental activities.

Furthermore, investing in defence technology could stimulate job creation, foster technological innovation, and strengthen India's position in the global arms market, potentially offsetting initial costs through exports.

The defence community is also advocating for parallel development or collaboration on 6th generation engine technology to ensure India's future fighter jets remain competitive. This proactive approach is seen as essential to avoid technological obsolescence and maintain a credible deterrent against potential adversaries.

 

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[basil1891]

in Wake of China's 6th Gen Fighter Reveal

But it's not a fighter, but a bomber/strike platform actually, lol

 

[PKPRS]

All Dream jets, we need to accept the fact that we can’t compete with China and instead focus on building the foundation for strong Aerospace industry with whatever limited knowledge we have along with foreign partnerships, results will come eventually, nothing will come instantly, Chinese have accomplished this after working hard for so many years, also dictatorship doesn’t let lapse or lethargy or incompetency at work, with DPSU’s and the freedom our GOI has given to them, getting the same results as the Chinese is not that easy.

 

[sanket]

Thats why Bharat Needs MRFA with ToT, with Eco-system plus Under Make in India, First Needs to dvelop Dmestic Aero-Industry second Engine Tech Thats Going on for AMCA Engine with Foreign partner, Rather than Looking at China should b Focus on own Goal without strong base cant achieve the desired Goal

 

[Kiran Kumar]

The difference between India and China is that Chinese people study in the US and go back to China to contribute to development, but Indians stay back in the US for dollars. India is still banking on oldies in HAL and DRDO, and it will take at least 100 more years to develop a 6th-gen fighter, but by that time, China will occupy most of our land.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

The recent development in the chinese air force is a wake up call in particular to the Indian bureaucrats and HAL to realise the wide gap in air power between India and china. When adequate funds start coming the top management executives in HAL now must make the AMCA project viable based on the projected timeline.

 

[tasks discussion]

Funding is the main problem in this country. AMCA released this year that's why it will take a decade. Same goes with other weapons. Release funding to let them reserach properly. Stop distributing things for free to these lazy people, instead increase defence budget.

 

[Chinese eater]

Falling behind China and globally in terms of design and manufacture of next gen weapons is clear indication of failure of current HAL DRDO system of hiring top brains or top talents. India needs to follow like America and China does to every possible ways reverse engineer, through agents or through hiring retired engineers from Europe and American companies.

 

[P.K Senapati]

In a democracy, we cannot neglect the welfare of people, women, farmers, students, education, health, road power supply, poverty, etc.We also need to keep ourselves at par in science, technology, defence, etc.We cannot afford the luxury of throwing money in the name of research as Western countries d😵ur scientific community also has some responsibility and accountability to see that projects are delivered on time at a reasonable cost.

 

[Tls Mani]

Countries like Turkey, China, Israel, even Pakistan and Iran have developed weapons in a short time with budgets similar to ours. How is it that our defence fails to deliver?

 

[Vadivelu Veerabadiran]

Our problem starts with the lack of an aeronautical ecosystem in the country. Let's first create it for the Tejas Mk 1 & 2, TEDBF, and ORCA. Followed by the AMCA 5th-generation production in India after the prototypes are successful. As far as the 6th generation is concerned, we have two options: the UK or France. We should join both in R&D and financial involvement with our % share in the project for complete TOT. We can design radar and software.

 

[Anmol Chowdhry]

While I understand the sentiment, I do believe the panic is a bit overblown. Consider Russia's absolute failure at causing any significant damage to Ukraine. China would fare much worse.

 

[vamkris]

India shall immediately join Italy in 6th-generation aircraft development. Buy Su-57 (114), Pantsir air defence systems, and Tu bombers from Russia and partner with Russia in developing the S-500 and S-550 missile defence systems.

 

[Bharat Shukla]

Nothing will change unless we restrict reservations to non-essential sectors only. What kind of foolishness is this that a maths Ph.D. in an Indian prestigious university has a cut-off of 0? Are you kidding me? Zero? So even if you are illiterate, you are in for a maths Ph.D. I am not saying abolish reservation, but do we really need those people who can't compete on merit at higher places?

 

[Bharat Shukla]

Can you believe it? DRDO has 20000+ employees, out of which barely 5% are researchers. Why do we need so much bureaucracy? DARPA, with a similar budget, has only 250 manpower. Their main expenses are on research, and ours are salaries, perks, and pensions.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

IITs and IISc and NITs receive thousands of crores of federal funding. But their contribution towards the nation's scientific and research community is not proportionate. Recall Somnath said, IIT-ans never showed interest in joining ISRO.

At least from now on, PMO should order them to work and contribute more towards, at least to the defense industry.

PMO & MOD should work on setting up an industry-academia consortium, consisting of the best and the brightest from both, to drive the defense research.

Also, PMO, should immediately bring DRDO, HAL etc. under PMO. Recent parliament panel report is so humiliating. Should they need an external committee to tell them to fast track and deliver ?

Where else such pathetic things happen ?

 

[Marcus]

India need to develop its own military power in every aspect. China is way ahead currently in many areas to India but its main enemy no 1 is currently is USA and India at no 2 or no 3. India need to have 2 version of fighter jet aling with laser guided weapons, wingman concept assisted by AI and swarm drone capability with 5.5 generation capability. India need to have 100-150 billion USD by 2028-2030 dedicated to defence spending.

 

[T.Rajesh]

With the Chinese 6th generation jets not too far off the skies, India has no other choice but to come to terms to it by developing its own capabilities on a war footing. The bottom line should be, that, we shall not allow an aggressive country like China to gain such heights that we are dwarfed and defeated into submission. But first of all , we will have to discover the determination to counter China technologically.

 

[Percy kakalia]

Now it's a high time to integrate the AMCA project with 6.5 generation and should be feasible to battle & defense in space also. Till the 5.5 generation will role out it will be far behind then aggressive red dragon. Now ISRO,DRDO,ADA,DAE should join hand and make it for dual uses for civil as well as defensive role release by 2026. Main private player also should be given an upper hand by public sector. Good luck INDIA.