In the late hours of May 6, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) executed one of its most audacious and precise operations in recent history: Operation Sindoor. Targeting terrorist infrastructure across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), this sweeping counter-terrorist strike was aimed at decimating key operational hubs of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The move marks a strategic escalation, and with it, the dawn of a new era in Indian air power and security doctrine.
The strikes—confirmed by satellite imagery and open-source intelligence—destroyed multiple buildings and safehouses. Casualty numbers remain unconfirmed, but both local and international observers suggest significant terrorist losses. For the first time in over a decade, the Pakistani government publicly acknowledged strikes at six sites, signifying the scale and impact of the assault.
But this operation is more than a tactical victory. It underscores an urgent call for India to prepare for a prolonged period of heightened military tensions, potentially against a two-front threat posed by Pakistan and China.
Guardians of the Skies: IAF’s Critical
Indian fighter pilots have proven time and again their mettle—whether in Red Flag exercises in Nevada, Garuda drills in France, or regional multilateral air games. They are lauded for exceptional situational awareness, maneuvering skills, and combat readiness. Yet, as warfare evolves, the threats India faces are no longer limited to terrain or numbers but stem from technological supremacy and network-centric operations.
Modern warfare now hinges on stealth, first-look advantage, electronic warfare capabilities, and sensor fusion. Even the best pilot in a fourth-generation fighter is at a disadvantage against adversaries equipped with fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
India’s challenge is clear: our warriors are unmatched, but the machines they fly must evolve.
The urgency of modernization is driven by the Chinese military buildup in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is rapidly deploying J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighters to high-altitude bases, challenging Indian dominance along the Line of Actual Control. With over 150 J-20s now in active service, China’s capability for first-strike and air superiority has grown significantly.
The 2020 Ladakh standoff was a wake-up call. Despite altitude challenges, China’s investment in airfield infrastructure and combat readiness in Tibet is paying dividends. India cannot afford to underestimate this evolving aerial chessboard.
China-Pakistan Nexus: A Two-Front Nightmare
Pakistan’s growing collaboration with China in defense manufacturing, particularly the JF-17 program, is a strategic concern. With possible fifth-generation upgrades or training modules being shared by Beijing, Islamabad could soon have advanced capabilities that exceed India’s current fourth-generation inventory.
This confluence of threats necessitates a long-overdue overhaul in India’s air combat capability—starting now.
India’s flagship fifth-generation project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is not just a fighter—it is a symbol of sovereign technological prowess. Designed as a 5.5-generation multirole stealth fighter, the AMCA is intended to counter threats from both China’s J-20 and any future Pakistani acquisitions.
- Internal weapons bays
- AI-enabled electronic co-pilot
- Stealth-optimized shaping and low observable materials
- Diverter-less supersonic intakes (DSI)
- Modular, open-architecture avionics
With 75% indigenous content, the AMCA project is also bolstering India’s aerospace sector, engaging private firms like Tata Advanced Systems, L&T, and Godrej Aerospace in tiered development roles. DRDO labs and institutions like IITs are contributing to subsystems including flight control software, radar development, and stealth coatings.
Tejas to AMCA
The AMCA builds upon the experience gained from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program. The LCA platform helped India develop core capabilities in composite airframes, fly-by-wire systems, AESA radar, and advanced avionics.
The Uttam AESA radar, originally designed for Tejas Mk1A, will be evolved and refined for AMCA integration. Furthermore, the iterative design and test cycles honed during LCA development are now enabling faster, more agile engineering in the AMCA project.
Beyond the airframe, AMCA is stimulating the ecosystem required to sustain a modern fighter fleet—high-precision manufacturing, CAD/CAM design frameworks, modularity in parts, and robust quality assurance.
A Stealth Gap
Despite progress, the AMCA won’t be operational before 2035. Meanwhile, India’s fighter strength is stretched thin. With only 31 active squadrons against the sanctioned 42, and aging MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirages nearing retirement, India needs a bridging solution.
A short-term stopgap is critical: the acquisition of 36–40 fifth-generation stealth fighters by 2028. These could be sourced via government-to-government deals or leasing frameworks, offering the IAF a critical capability against stealth-enabled adversaries.
Advantages of fifth-gen fighters:
- Stealth for radar-evading deep strikes
- Supercruise for sustained supersonic flight
- Sensor fusion for total battlespace awareness
- Electronic warfare for disrupting enemy systems
Platforms like the F-35 or Su-57 (if politically feasible) offer multi-role capabilities that would integrate seamlessly into the IAF’s evolving doctrine.
Upgrades Aren’t Enough, But Still Vital
While India develops and procures fifth-gen aircraft, upgrading existing platforms is essential. The Super Sukhoi program aims to modernize the Su-30MKI fleet with improved radar, electronic warfare systems, and better weapons integration. The Rafale F4 upgrade path and the upcoming Tejas Mk2 also promise enhanced performance.
However, even advanced 4.5-generation fighters cannot fully match the capabilities of stealth jets in contested airspace. High radar cross-sections, lack of internal weapons bays, and limited supercruise ability remain critical drawbacks.
Dogfights and Data: Who Wins?
Can a 4.5-gen Rafale or Su-30MKI defeat a fifth-gen fighter? In close dogfights, possibly—especially with helmet-mounted sights, off-boresight missiles, and thrust-vectoring. Indian pilots have shown that skill can sometimes outmatch stealth, as seen in previous exercises like Red Flag 2008.
But in modern air combat, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) is where battles are often won. Stealth aircraft dominate here, leveraging low radar visibility and sensor fusion to strike first, unseen. No amount of maneuvering helps if you’re already locked and targeted before you know the enemy is there.
Thus, India must pair its exceptional human talent with machines that match the adversary in capability.
Autonomy, AI, and Swarm Tactics
Looking beyond AMCA, India must also prepare for sixth-generation warfare. This includes:
- AI-enabled wingmen (loyal wingman drones)
- Quantum radar to detect stealth platforms
- Directed energy weapons (lasers, microwave guns)
- Swarm drone tactics for saturation attacks
Preliminary work has started at DRDO and in joint projects with private firms. But long-term vision and sustained investment will determine whether India emerges as a global air power leader or remains reactive.
Infrastructure and ISR
No air force wins wars alone. For the IAF to dominate, India must enhance its infrastructure:
- Forward base upgrades in Ladakh and Arunachal
- More AEW&C aircraft for radar coverage
- Tanker aircraft for force multiplication
- Integrated ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) networks
Cybersecurity, too, must be a priority. As networked warfare increases, defending digital infrastructure becomes as vital as defending airbases.
Operation Sindoor proved that India can act decisively, swiftly, and with precision. But future operations may not be as forgiving. To retain deterrence and ensure aerial superiority, India must back its pilots with platforms that match their skill.
The AMCA will be that platform in the 2030s. But for the critical decade ahead, stopgap stealth fighters, infrastructure upgrades, and accelerated indigenous R&D are non-negotiable.
