SOURCE: AFI
The race to upgrade indigenous fighter jets in South Asia is heating up, with both Pakistan and India pushing their respective aircraft programs forward. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is on the brink of introducing the JF-17 Block 4 under the PF-X (Pakistan Fighter Experimental) program, aiming for a debut in 2028. This development prompts a reflection on how India’s Tejas MkII could have potentially evolved beyond its current 4.5 generation designation.
The JF-17 Block 4 is expected to feature an IWB, although limited by space. This allows for a cleaner radar signature when flying without external ordnance, potentially enhancing stealth capabilities for initial engagements. However, the limited size means only a small number of Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs) can be carried internally.
Diverterless Supersonic Inlets are planned to be incorporated, which would not only reduce the aircraft’s radar cross-section but also potentially improve airflow, beneficial for any future engine upgrades aiming for higher thrust.
The Tejas MkII maintains much of the Mk1A’s design, enhancing it with canards for improved manoeuvrability. However, this continuity might have missed an opportunity to leap further into 5th-generation features. Unlike the JF-17 Block 4, the Tejas MkII does not incorporate DSI intakes, potentially forgoing improvements in radar signature and airflow efficiency. This could have been crucial for integrating engines with higher thrust, enhancing performance.
While the JF-17 Block 4 is set to introduce an IWB, the Tejas MkII could have explored semi-recessed belly missile bays. Such a design would reduce drag, improve fuel efficiency, and lower the radar signature, striking a balance between stealth and payload capacity.
The Tejas MkII seems to follow an incremental approach, building on existing designs with minor but significant upgrades. In contrast, the JF-17 Block 4 appears to embrace more radical changes, incorporating features that could classify it closer to 5th generation criteria.
Both aircraft aim to enhance their survivability in modern air combat scenarios, where stealth, even if partial, plays a critical role. The inclusion of stealth features like IWBs in the JF-17 Block 4 highlights a trend towards reducing detectability, which could have been more aggressively pursued in the Tejas MkII.
Designing for future upgrades is essential. The lack of DSI intakes in the Tejas MkII might constrain its ability to adopt more powerful engines or further reduce its radar cross-section without significant redesign.
As both nations advance their fighter jet programs, the development of the JF-17 Block 4 under the PF-X program shows a willingness to push technological boundaries, aiming for a more pronounced generational leap. On the other hand, the Tejas MkII, while a commendable evolution of the original Tejas, might have missed an opportunity to integrate more 5th generation elements that could have positioned it as a more revolutionary step in Indian military aviation.