After losing Rafales, India begins work on stealth fighter jet programme

India has announced to develop its most advanced stealth fighter jet after losing six warplanes, including Rafale jets, which were shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) using Chinese-imported J-10C fighters on May 8.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed the initiative, approving a framework for the development of a next-generation fighter jet capable of evading radar detection.

The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has begun seeking expressions of interest from defence firms to participate in the prototype development phase of the project. According to Singh, the aircraft is expected to be a twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth fighter.

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The project is critical for the Indian Air Force (IAF), whose fleet, primarily composed of Russian and ex-Soviet aircraft, has been reduced to 31 squadrons, well below the sanctioned strength of 42.

This reduction comes as China rapidly expands its own air force and Pakistan has inducted the advanced Chinese J-10C fighter jet into service.

Earlier this month, nuclear-armed neighbours Pakistan and India engaged in four days of intense hostilities involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, and artillery before a ceasefire was brokered by US President Donald Trump.

This marked the first time both countries deployed drones on such a large scale, signalling the beginning of a drone arms race in South Asia, according to security officials, analysts, and defence industry insiders interviewed by Reuters.

Read: Pakistan shot down 2 Indian jets including Rafale: US officials

India planned to partner with a domestic firm for the stealth fighter programme. The Defence Ministry stated that bids would be open to both private and public sector companies, either independently or through joint ventures.

In March, a defence committee recommended involving the private sector in aircraft manufacturing to bolster the IAF’s capabilities and reduce reliance on the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), which currently produces most of India’s military aircraft.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has previously criticised HAL for delays in delivering the Tejas light combat aircraft, a 4.5-generation fighter. HAL attributed the setbacks to engine supply delays from US-based General Electric (GE), which has been grappling with global supply chain issues.