India Needs To Be Agile On Self-Reliance In Aerospace

Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd), Director General, Centre For Air Power Studies. New Delhi.
The unveiling of J-36, a sixth-generation fighter aircraft by China late last year, probably came as a Sputnik moment in its contest for air dominance with the US. The race to dominate Artificial Intelligence (AI) — think Deep Seek vs OpenAI — included, the intensification of the frontier-tech contest between the two becomes clear. The J-36, with a tailless delta platform that combines stealth design with an apparently large payload capacity for both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, seems ready to be inducted into active service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) while the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) sixth generation fighter of the United States (US) is nowhere on the horizon. The launch of Sputnik, the world’s first space satellite, by the erstwhile Soviet Union, took the US by surprise in 1957 leading to the space race.
The main themes of the document are:
- China’s Advancements in Aerospace: The unveiling of China’s sixth-generation fighter aircraft, the J-36, and its implications for global air dominance, particularly in the context of the US-China rivalry.
- India’s Aerospace Challenges: Concerns about India’s depleting fighter aircraft inventory and the slow progress in developing indigenous fighter aircraft like the Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
- Self-Reliance in Aerospace: The need for India to achieve self-reliance (aatmanirbharta) in aerospace design, development, and manufacturing, including the critical aspect of developing or co-developing aero engines.
- Strategic Partnerships: The importance of collaborating with countries that have advanced jet engine manufacturing capabilities to ensure technology transfer and joint production.
- Government and Industry Collaboration: The necessity for the Indian government and private industry to work together in a mission mode to overcome current challenges and achieve self-reliance in aerospace.
- Civil-Military Fusion: The suggestion to study China’s civil-military fusion system to understand its rapid advancements and apply similar strategies in India.
- Urgency and Strategic Action: The call for immediate and strategic action by the Indian government, including forming a dedicated team to address the capability gaps in the Indian Air Force and ensure timely progress in aerospace projects.
J-36 Impact On India
The J-36 impacts India’s national security by highlighting the advancements of China’s aerospace capabilities, which could potentially threaten India’s air dominance. As China progresses with its sixth-generation fighter aircraft, India’s depleting fighter aircraft inventory and slow progress in developing indigenous aircraft like the Tejas Mk1A, Tejas Mk2, and AMCA could limit its aerospace power. This disparity in capabilities could compromise India’s national security, making it imperative for India to accelerate its efforts towards self-reliance in aerospace design, development, and manufacturing.

About The Author
Anil Golani is a retired Air Vice Marshal and currently serves as the director-general of the Centre for Air Power Studies. His extensive experience in the Indian Air Force and his current role in air power research and analysis provide him with a deep understanding of aerospace and national security issues. His views, as expressed in his writings, are personal and reflect his expertise in the field.
Image courtesy with acknowledgement to authors and publishers on open source