India started building the Tejas light combat aircraft more than 40 years ago. In 2025, the Government of India is hoping that the America under Trump will agree to supply’s GE’s engines for Tejas. In the meantime, China has launched its sixth generation of stealth fighters. As Yusuf Unjhawala explains for The Print:
“China has stunned the world by unveiling two sixth-generation aircraft. Alongside its expanding fleet of fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters—estimated to exceed 300 and potentially reach 800 by 2030—and the J-35, China’s second fifth-generation stealth aircraft, the latest aircraft pose a significant challenge for India.”
Now, to make matters worse for India, China is about to give Pakistan 40 of these J-35 stealth fighters which means that the Indian Air Force could be faced with a situation soon that on two different fronts it will be attacked by stealth fighters, a capability which the India does not possess. So what can India do now? Mr Unjhawala proposes a solution:
“India urgently needs to develop strategies that help it plug the numerical and technological gap—in effectiveness and cost. While developing fifth and sixth-generation aircraft remains essential, an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy offers a pragmatic countermeasure, and could prevent adversaries from controlling airspace.
Why A2/AD is crucial?
“The IAF currently operates fourth-generation platforms, including the Rafale, Su-30MKI, Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Tejas Mk-1. However, squadron strength is down to 31 from the sanctioned 42, and will reduce further when MiG-21 and Jaguar fighters are decommissioned. There are delays in inducting Tejas Mk1A fighters due to supply chain reasons and the development of the MkII variant. While these fourth-generation aircraft are capable, they lack the stealth features of China’s J-20 and J-35 and the newly unveiled sixth-generation fighters. India’s indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is expected to take at least another decade to enter service.
In the meantime, adopting A2/AD strategies can effectively level the playing field by integrating advanced radars, missile systems, electronic warfare, sensors, unmanned technologies, and space-based surveillance. By employing this strategy, India can address threats without requiring to match its adversary aircraft-for-aircraft.”
However, even building A2/AD will take a lot of work on India’s part? For example, “India must develop systems that integrate data from land, sea, air, and space sensors to get a unified operational picture. Networked systems provide real-time information sharing and help in coordinating responses, enhancing survivability and lethality. By incorporating advanced radars, passive sensors, electronic warfare systems, and decoys in our existing fourth-generation fighters operating in a networked environment, we can achieve a level of stealth that allows them to operate effectively in highly contested environments.
…Hypersonic missiles can penetrate advanced air defence systems. Fast-tracking programmes like Pralay, Shaurya, and BrahMos-II are critical to delivering high-speed precision strikes. Additionally, it is essential to speed up the development of hypersonic cruise missiles and glide vehicles and extend the range of BrahMos to over 800 km for strikes deep inside enemy territory.”
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