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DRDO 6th Generation Fighter Jet: Air strike is a big reality of 21st century warfare. In view of the possibility of aerial attack, all the countries of the world are busy strengthening their air defense systems. In such a situation, now they are busy in making 5th and 6th generation fighter jets, so that the target can be destroyed by dodging the air defense system. India also does not want to lag behind in this. Under the AMCA project, Indian scientists are busy developing ultra-modern combat aircraft. DRDO has taken an important decision in this direction.
DRDO 6th Generation Fighter Jet: The methods of war have also changed in the 21st century. The importance of infantry has become quite limited. The role of Air Force and Navy has become very important. Be it the Indian Navy’s ‘Operation Trident’ in 1971 or the Indian Air Force’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, the Air Force and the Navy taught the enemies such a lesson that they will remember for life. After the Balakot air strike, the Air Force surprised the whole world with its bravery in Operation Sindoor. Three major developments have taken place after the successful operation. First, the focus on hypersonic missiles has increased. Second, more attention is being paid to developing powerful and state-of-the-art air defense systems. Third, the projects related to the development of ultra modern fighter jets (5th and 6th generation fighter jets) have been greatly accelerated. On one hand, India is seriously considering importing the fifth generation fighter jet, while on the other hand, by launching the AMCA project, it is also busy developing the fifth generation combat aircraft with indigenous technology. Amidst all these developments, Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has taken a big step towards developing the technology to develop 6th generation fighter jet. If this project is successful, then the day is not far when India will have a 6th generation fighter jet developed with indigenous technology, in front of which fifth generation aircraft like F-35 and Su-57 will also compete.
In fact, Research Center Imarat (RCI) under DRDO has formally invited the private sector to develop quantum avionics sensors required for 6th generation warfare. With the development of this technology, it will become very easy for India to make 6th generation fighter jet. Let us tell you that the 6th generation fighter jet is capable of dodging any ultra modern radar system. Also, breaking the Chakravyu of the air defense system will not be a big deal for it. Due to very low radar cross section i.e. RCS, it is almost impossible for the 6th generation fighter jet to be caught by the radar. According to the report of ‘India Defense Research Wing’, RCI has formally invited Indian private companies and startups to develop quantum based avionic sensors. This technology is considered the “core technology” of the future sixth generation fighter aircraft. Now the question arises that what is quantum avionics? In fact, quantum technology provides the ability to obtain information about the exact direction, distance and location of the enemy even in situations where the aircraft GPS is turned off, communication is jammed or the enemy’s advanced radar is activated. At present, no jet has this technology yet.
What technologies is RCI working on?
RCI is working rapidly on three key quantum areas -:
- Quantum inertial navigation: Centimeter-level accurate direction and location, even without GPS.
- Quantum Magnetometer: The ability to detect stealth aircraft, submarines or underground explosives by detecting extremely slight magnetic changes.
- Quantum Radar/Lidar: Entangled Photon technology can also detect stealth aircraft which are not detected by normal radars.
With DRDO’s step, India can become a big player in the global aviation sector. This is the first step in the process of developing a more powerful aircraft than fifth generation fighter jets like F-35. (File photo/AP)
What will be the benefit?
- Anti-jammed or spoofed navigation
- Remote detection of stealth aircraft
- Detect submarines and underground threats from aircraft
- Flying in formation even when communication is down
Why was the private sector invited?
To install these quantum sensors in fighter aircraft, they will have to be made very strong, temperature tolerant and small in size. This is a big technical challenge, so for the first time RCI has called on private companies to join hands under programs like TDF and iDEX. Indian startups are already doing good work in areas important for quantum technology such as ultra-high vacuum systems, photonic chips, single-photon detectors and cryogenic cooling. RCI wants to advance technology by partnering with these companies. RCI aims to develop such quantum sensors in the next few years, which can be used in India’s future fighter aircraft and the sixth generation platforms being developed in the initial phase.
