India to Build 5th-Generation Fighter Jets: A Big Leap Towards Self-Reliant Defence

 

Lalit Thukral

 

In a major push for indigenous defence manufacturing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has announced that India will begin designing and building its own fifth-generation fighter jets—right here at home. What’s more, this ambitious project will actively involve the private sector, marking a significant shift in India’s approach to advanced defence production.

 

This decision is being hailed as a milestone in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence. For years, the country has depended heavily on imported fighter jets, which not only drained the national defence budget but also posed security risks by placing critical technology in foreign hands.

 

“This is a bold and necessary step,” said Defence Minister Singh. “It’s about ensuring that India’s next-generation combat aircraft are made by Indian hands, using Indian minds.”

The government’s new strategy invites both public and private players to work together on the design, development, and production of these advanced jets. By doing so, it hopes to unlock homegrown talent in aerospace engineering and reduce India’s dependence on foreign companies—many of whom have caused delays and design compromises in the past.

 

Experts say this approach reflects a broader understanding of how modern warfare is evolving. Speed, innovation, and domestic manufacturing are now critical in defence strategy. Unlike earlier joint ventures with international partners, this new initiative aims to complete the entire process—from concept to takeoff—on Indian soil.

 

Minister Singh also emphasized the growing capability of Indian companies to contribute meaningfully to high-end aerospace projects. “Our private sector has proven talent in fields like avionics, missile systems, and aircraft design. We need to tap into this potential and accelerate our defence manufacturing ecosystem.”

 

This move ties directly into the vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat”—or Self-Reliant India—which aims to transform India into a hub of innovation, employment, and export-driven defence production.

More than just a fighter jet program, the announcement is seen as a statement of intent. By bringing private players into the defence space and focusing on indigenous capability, India is preparing not only to protect its skies—but to lead the future of aerospace technology.

 

As one defence analyst put it: “India is not just building fighter jets—it’s building confidence in its ability to stand on its own, defend itself, and compete globally.”