China has made sixth generation fighter plane, is giving J-35 to Pakistan, know how much danger there is for India and what are the preparations

New Delhi : China is showcasing its new sixth generation fighter planes. On the other hand, it is also going to provide 40 J-35 stealth fighters to Pakistan. This will definitely give Pakistan a huge advantage over India in terms of air power because we do not currently have a single stealth fighter. Talking about India, the Indian Air Force is still struggling to meet the requirement of fourth generation fighter aircraft. The number of fighter aircraft is at its lowest level since 1965. Moreover, supplies from major defense suppliers like the US and Russia are being delayed. Due to this India’s war capability is weakening. This is definitely a matter of concern for India. The need of the hour is to focus on increasing the capability of the Air Force. Preparations for this are also going on but it will need to be speeded up.Pakistan is going to buy 40 stealth fighter jets
Pakistan is soon going to buy 40 J-35 stealth fighters from China. These are fifth generation fighter aircraft. According to a recent report by South China Morning Post, for the first time China is going to export fifth generation fighter aircraft to another country. At present, India does not have a single stealth fighter jet and its only indigenous project AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) will be able to develop the first prototype only in 2028. Stealth fighters are those fighter planes equipped with state-of-the-art technologies which do their work without coming under the enemy’s radar.

Delay in supply of 83 jet engines from America
According to the report of our associate Economic Times, there has been a huge delay in the supply of GE 404 jet engines from America. This has dealt a major blow to our Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Mk1a) programme. The program was to replace the aging MiG 21 fighter aircraft. 83 orders were placed for these jets in 2021. Their delivery was to start this year. But now it is being postponed till 2025. GE is unable to supply jet engines due to disruptions in its supply chain, particularly in South Korea.

Delay in supply of S-400 from Russia
The problem with Russia is about the air defense system, another aspect of air war. India had ordered five regiments of S400 long-range air defense systems. All were to be delivered by 2023, but only three have been received so far. There is no clarity on when the remaining two will be found. The wait may extend till 2026. Both delays are due to disruptions in the supply chain. This has been a common problem for defense suppliers in recent years. The COVID-19 crisis and regional conflicts such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis in West Asia have had a double impact.

Work is going on on indigenous option but the pace is slow.
Creating indigenous options and establishing a strong aero-defense ecosystem is the way forward. But things have moved slowly in recent years. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has started manufacturing of LCA Mk1a. But the Mk2 version and new programs such as the ‘Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft’ are still years away from prototype flight. It is a long way from serial production to meet Air Force requirements.

India does not have the capacity to make fighter aircraft engines
Apart from this, India’s inability to develop a state-of-the-art fighter jet engine is also a problem. This engine will power the next generation jet aircraft. An engine is at the core of a fighter aircraft right from the design stage. India has not been able to select a foreign partner for its ambitious plan to develop an engine with at least 110 kN power. An attractive proposal from France for co-development of the engine has been shelved for the last 8 years. Another UK proposal has also languished without any progress.

What is India’s preparation?
A new committee has been formed in the Defense Ministry. This committee has to look into these issues and other issues like the manner of procurement of new multi role fighter aircraft and aerial refuellers. The committee faces a difficult task. Because on one hand China is progressing rapidly, while on the other hand India’s air capability is weakening. This remains a matter of concern. India needs to focus on strengthening indigenous capabilities and collaborating with trusted partners to meet its defense needs.