SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is grappling with a critical shortage of fighter jets, with its current strength at just 30 squadrons against an authorized 42.5, even as regional rivals like China and Pakistan bolster their air forces with advanced fifth-generation stealth platforms. With China operating over 200 J-20 stealth fighters and reportedly supplying J-35A stealth jets to Pakistan, the strategic balance in South Asia is shifting.
To counter this growing threat and address its own capability gaps, the IAF must urgently accelerate the development of two cutting-edge indigenous programs: the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior loyal wingman and the Futuristic Unmanned Fighter Aircraft (FUFA), a secretive low-observable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). These programs are critical to enhancing India’s air combat capabilities and achieving self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The IAF’s fighter jet shortfall is a pressing concern, with eight squadrons slated for retirement over the next decade, further straining its operational capacity. Currently, the IAF relies on 4.5-generation fighters like the Rafale and Su-30MKI, which, while capable, lack the stealth and advanced sensor fusion of fifth-generation platforms like China’s J-20 or the U.S.’s F-35. Recent reports indicate that Pakistan is set to induct at least 40 Chinese J-35A stealth fighters, a development that could tilt the regional air power balance following the intense May 2025 Indo-Pak conflict, where both sides suffered losses. China’s advancements in sixth-generation prototypes, such as the J-36 and J-50, further underscore the urgency for India to modernize its air fleet with next-generation technologies.
The CATS Warrior, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), represents a transformative approach to air combat through manned-unmanned teaming. This unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) is designed to operate as a loyal wingman, with a single pilot commanding two armed drones from a “mothership” aircraft, such as the Tejas Mk1A, Mk2, or the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The CATS Warrior features a stealthy airframe with internal weapon bays, AI-based autonomous operations, and compatibility with suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and destruction of enemy air defenses (DEAD) missions. These capabilities make it ideal for high-risk operations like deep-strike, reconnaissance, and anti-runway strikes.
HAL has made significant progress, completing an engine ground run for the full-scale CATS Warrior prototype in January 2025, with flight tests expected by late 2025 or early 2026. A larger variant, CATS Warrior 2, is also in development, promising double the payload and a higher flight ceiling for enhanced fighter-bomber roles. Fast-tracking this program could provide the IAF with a cost-effective, low-risk platform to neutralize advanced enemy air defenses, such as Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied HQ-9 systems, which were targeted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. By integrating with existing and future manned platforms, CATS Warrior can extend the IAF’s reach and survivability in contested environments.
The Futuristic Unmanned Fighter Aircraft (FUFA), also referred to as AURA or Ghatak in some contexts, is a highly classified program led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a low-observable UCAV. Designed for stealthy, deep-penetration missions, FUFA aims to deliver precision strikes with minimal radar detectability, making it a critical asset against adversaries with advanced air defense systems. While details remain scarce due to the program’s secretive nature, FUFA is envisioned as a jet-powered, autonomous platform capable of carrying a range of munitions in internal weapon bays, aligning with fifth-generation stealth standards.
A key challenge for FUFA has been the development of an indigenous engine. The Dry Kaveri engine, intended for FUFA, is undergoing final trials in Russia, with certification expected in 2024–2025. Successful development of the Kaveri engine, potentially with afterburning variants, could pave the way for government funding and full-scale development. FUFA’s stealth and autonomy make it a strategic counter to the growing presence of fifth-generation fighters in the region, offering the IAF a platform to conduct high-risk missions without endangering pilots.
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