China's new stealth 5th-Gen fighter jets spark debate on Indian social media I Video
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China's unveiling of two cutting-edge fifth-generation fighter jets has ignited a buzz not only in India but also in the United States. The revelation, which showcases China's technological advancements in military aviation, has intensified the ongoing comparison between the Indian and Chinese Air Forces.
In October, Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh acknowledged China's growing technological advantage in the airspace. However, he also emphasized that India's Air Force remains superior when it comes to personnel training and skills. This week, the debut of China's advanced fighter jets, equipped with the latest technologies, has raised concerns in India, with many online discussions suggesting that China now holds an edge in terms of fighter jet capabilities.
This new Chinese jet has really thrown people for a loop. A lot are pushing this as a “6th Gen Fighter” b/c it shares a lot of vague commonalities with the NGAD artistic depictions. I don’t believe this to be the case, but there’s still a lot to be inferred from the pics so far— pic.twitter.com/utqItKfsyy
— Prez (@PrezGHz) December 26, 2024
On Indian social media, the news has sparked a heated debate, with users criticizing the Indian government's failure to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. Comments on the situation reflect frustration with India's defense strategy, particularly when compared to China's rapid advancements. Some social media users voiced their discontent over the lack of a fully self-reliant, high-performance fighter jet, pointing to the years of delay in India’s own aircraft programs like Tejas and Kaveri.
One user remarked, “While Tejas was sidelined for years, the HF 24 was canceled, and Kaveri never made it past taxi trials. Here’s a 3-minute video showing the underperforming jets that the Indian Air Force got from abroad.”
Another user speculated, “This new Chinese jet might even be labeled a ‘6th Gen Fighter’ because it shares some features with the next-gen aircraft designs, though it’s still unclear from the available footage.”
Interestingly, Chinese media had hinted at the development of a 6th-generation fighter back in 2022, but it had not received much attention. Now, with the debut of these new stealth jets, the speculation surrounding China’s military advancements continues to grow.
Meanwhile, Indian users humorously pointed out that India is exploring unconventional ways to match China's technological strides, joking that the answer might lie in ancient mythological designs like the “Pushpaka Vimana.”
Currently, India relies on foreign jets like the Russian Su-30MKI and French Rafale for its air force capabilities. The indigenous Tejas aircraft, despite being touted as a milestone for India’s defense industry, still depends on components from countries like Israel, Russia, and Ukraine.
