New Delhi. India is moving towards taking a big leap in the field of defense technology. The country no longer wants to be limited to just purchasing modern fighter aircraft or developing fifth generation jets, but plans to develop technology beyond that. In this context, India has started initial preparations for the future sixth generation fighter aircraft.
The fighter aircraft currently considered to be the most advanced in the world are of the fifth generation. Prominent among them are America’s F-35 Lightning II, Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57 and China’s Chengdu J-20. But India is now thinking towards working on such technology which can be more advanced than these aircraft in the coming decades.
Future will be connected to AMCA
India’s indigenous stealth fighter jet project Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is considered to be the cornerstone of this entire plan. This project has been started with the aim of developing the fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force. Now taking this program forward, work is being done on more powerful engines and new technologies, which can be useful in the development of sixth generation fighter aircraft in future.
Emphasis on increasing engine power
The most important part of this project is the jet engine. Under the initial plan, an engine with about 120 kilo Newton thrust is being developed. But India is working on the possibility of making it more powerful and increasing its capacity to about 140 kilo newtons. If this goal is achieved then this engine will be able to fly heavy weight advanced stealth fighter jets in the future. More thrust means the aircraft can achieve better speed, greater weapons capability and the ability to fly longer distances.
Technical cooperation with France
India is also doing international cooperation to progress rapidly in this field. There has been a partnership with French aerospace company Safran in the development of engine technology. This cooperation between the two countries is not just a deal to purchase equipment, but it also includes joint development of technology. Under this partnership, advanced engine technology and manufacturing processes will be shared, thereby strengthening India’s domestic capability.
Work on cutting-edge engine technology
The most important part of an engine’s construction is its turbine blades, which withstand extremely high temperatures and pressures. Through new technologies, such blades are being prepared which can survive even in high temperatures for a long time. Such technology increases engine efficiency and also improves the overall efficiency of the aircraft. This is the reason why India is emphasizing on acquiring modern manufacturing technology in this field.
India’s long term strategy now
If India becomes self-reliant in advanced engine and new generation fighter jet technology, it can bring a big change in the country’s defense capability. Besides, India can also achieve an important position in the global defense industry. In the coming times, fighter aircraft equipped with stealth technology, artificial intelligence and state-of-the-art sensor systems will decide the direction of future wars. This initiative of India is being considered as a big step taken in that direction.
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