An Indian sixth generation fighter jet on the horizon

On 13 April 2025, Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh witnessed a major moment in India's defense journey. Dr Samir V Kamat, chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, addressed a gathering that was full of excitement and pride. The spotlight was on the live demonstration of a powerful 30-kilowatt laser weapon system capable of destroying enemy aircraft, missiles, and swarms of drones in mid-air. This wasn't just a show of strength. It was a clear signal that India is stepping boldly into the future of warfare.

Taking advantage of this occasion, Dr Kamat unveiled India’s roadmap for the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), the country's first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, which is expected to be ready for delivery by 2035. But more importantly, he shared something even more ambitious: India's decision to move towards developing sixth-generation aircraft, which could completely change the face of aerial combat... the AMCA is an important step, but not the final one. "Developing a fighter jet from scratch takes 10 to 15 years anywhere in the world," he said, reminding the audience that the AMCA project got the green light only in 2024. However, what caught even more attention was his focus on engine development.

He recalled the tough lessons learned from the Kaveri engine program -- a previous effort that aimed to build a fourth-generation engine. Now, with technology evolving rapidly, India plans to work with an international partner -- an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) -- to build a more advanced engine.  "Today's technology has moved to sixth generation," Kamat pointed out, hinting that the new engine could not only power the AMCA but also a future jet that could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the world.

He also suggested that there would be "good news" soon, which may indicate that a deal is near.