SOURCE: AFI
The progression of Chinese military aviation technology over the last few decades has been remarkable, particularly when compared to the development trajectory of India’s indigenous fighter jet programs. This article examines the significant milestones of China’s J-10, J-20, and the newly introduced J-36 against the backdrop of India’s Tejas Mk1 program.
The Chengdu J-10, also known as the Vigorous Dragon, marked China’s entry into the arena of fourth-and-a-half generation fighters. Designed initially to compete with the likes of the American F-16, the J-10 was a significant step, showcasing China’s ability to engineer advanced combat aircraft independently.
Thirteen years after the J-10, the Chengdu J-20 entered the scene, heralding China’s arrival in the fifth-generation fighter jet category. With stealth capabilities, the J-20 was intended to counter advanced aircraft like the US F-22 Raptor. This rapid progression to a stealth fighter was a testament to China’s accelerated development in aerospace technology.
Continuing the trend, another 13 years later, China showcased the J-36, reportedly a sixth-generation fighter jet. The J-36’s introduction not only underlines the rapid pace at which China is advancing its military capabilities but also sets the stage for future air combat scenarios with its advanced technology, possibly including AI integration and hypersonic capabilities.
India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 had its inaugural flight in 2001. Despite being categorized as a 4.5 generation fighter, the journey from first flight to operational deployment has been notably slow. By 2024, while the Tejas Mk1A variant began its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF), it was still grappling with full-scale production and operational readiness.
India’s plans include the Tejas MkII, with a projected first flight in 2026, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), expected to fly by 2028. These developments, while promising, illustrate a significant lag when juxtaposed with China’s pace of introducing new generations of fighter jets.
China’s ability to transition from one generation to another in just over a decade showcases a robust research and development ecosystem. This contrasts sharply with India, where the Tejas program, despite its indigenous nature, has faced numerous delays due to technological challenges, funding, and bureaucratic hurdles.
China’s rapid advancement in fighter jet technology not only enhances its military might but also positions it as a potential exporter in the global arms market. The gap in development speed could have strategic implications for regional air superiority, particularly in the context of border tensions.
The move from J-10 to J-20, and now to J-36, indicates not just an evolution in design but also in capabilities like stealth, avionics, and possibly autonomous combat features. This leap suggests China’s ambition to lead in military technology, potentially outpacing other major powers in certain aspects of aerial combat technology.
While India’s Tejas program marks a significant step towards self-reliance in military aviation, the pace and scope of China’s advancements underscore a different trajectory. The introduction of the J-36 in 2024, potentially setting the stage for production in the early 2030s, shows China pulling ahead in the race to dominate the skies. For India, this scenario underscores the urgency to accelerate its own aerospace development, streamline processes, and possibly rethink its approach to military technology development to keep pace with regional and global competitors.