What is 4th, 4.5th, 5th generation in fighter jets? Which generation is India’s Rafale jet? China is working on…
After India launched Operation Sindoor on Pakistan, fighter jets like Rafale and US-F16 made multiple headlines across the world. The world talked about the powers of these 5th generation fighter jets and whether the S-400 Russian air defence system could intercept them or not. India’s Rafael aircraft was also in news, as it was reportedly used to target terror camps in Pakistan. However, some terms that we commonly hear across world of fighter jets like the 4th, 4.5th, 5th generation. But do we really know what these terms actually mean?
Fighter jets- Generational Overview:
4th Generation fighter jets: These fighter jets are lightweight, high speed, basic radar. They are used in missile combat operations of low intensity.
4.5th Generation fighter jets: The 4.5th Generation fighter jets like the Rafale fighter jet of India come with improved engines, stealth features, advanced sensors.
5th Generation fighter jets: The 5th Generation fighter jets come with stealth, supersonic cruise, AI, and multi-sensor data fusion, that make them the most destructive fighter jets to have ever existed.
Rafale Jet: A 4.5th generation French-made fighter in the Indian Air Force, with stealth tech, advanced missile systems, a top speed of 1,912 km/h, and a range of 3,700 km.
More notably, China is working on a 6th generation fighter jet named J-36 fighter jet.
India approves execution model for 5th-gen fighter jet project
In a recent development after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has cleared the “execution model” to design and produce India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet — the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). India has been working on the ambitious AMCA project to develop the medium weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to bolster its air power capability.
AMCA along with the Tejas light combat aircraft are planned to be the mainstays of the Indian Air Force.
The defence ministry on Tuesday said Singh has approved the “execution model” for AMCA that will be developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in cooperation with industry partners. The approval for the the critical step for development of the aircraft came against the backdrop of increasing focus on bolstering India’s air power in view of China’s rapid stride in the domain.
(With inputs from agencies)
News