Recently, Air Chief Marshal Anil Chopra, a retired officer of the Indian Air Force, published an opinion article in India's Eurasia Times, comparing Turkey's "Khan" project, South Korea's KF-21 project, and India's own fifth-generation fighter aircraft project (AMCA).
Chopra believes that the progress of the South Korean KF-21 project is the fastest among the three countries. From its launch in 2015 to its first flight in 2022, six prototype aircraft have completed thousands of tests. However, the KF-21 has clear shortcomings: it is not a true fifth-generation aircraft but only a fourth-and-a-half generation. Although its radar cross-section (RCS) is lower than that of the F-16 (about 0.1-1 square meter), it lacks internal weapon bays, and external weapons affect its stealth performance.
Meanwhile, the engine is also a major issue. The KF-21 uses the F414 engine, whose core technology is in the hands of the United States, and South Korea cannot develop high-thrust engines on its own in the short term.
As for Turkey's "Khan" project, although it made its first flight in February 2024, which is faster than India's fifth-generation fighter plan, it still has its own shortcomings.
Chopra believes that the "fifth-generation aircraft" label of the "Khan" is self-proclaimed. The first flight prototype is just a "shell," without an AESA radar, and the avionics system and sensor fusion are still under development, making it at best a fourth-and-a-half generation aircraft. The engine problem is also very serious, using the American General Electric F110-GE-129 engine, and the development of a domestic engine will take at least ten years.
As for India's AMCA program, although it started in 2010, it was only approved for an 18 billion dollar budget this May. Compared with the "Khan" and KF-21 projects, its progress is slow, but India's fifth-generation aircraft project has higher technical goals and greater long-term potential, especially in terms of stealth and autonomy.
Additionally, its stealth performance, super cruise capability, and sensor fusion are close to the F-35, far surpassing those of Turkey and South Korea.
To be honest, after reading the entire article, the Indians' expectations for their own fifth-generation aircraft are still too high. Although the fifth-generation aircraft projects of Turkey and South Korea indeed have many drawbacks, and they are not truly fifth-generation aircraft, at least they managed to build prototypes and successfully conduct test flights.
In contrast, India's fifth-generation aircraft project has remained on paper since its initiation in 2010, and even a prototype has not been produced yet. Now, it is starting to look down on Turkey and South Korea.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1839790114394119/
Disclaimer: This article represents the views of the author.