India, China, and Russia advance competing stealth fighter programs

Global competition for fifth-generation stealth fighter supremacy is intensifying, particularly in Asia, as India, China, and Russia advance distinct aerial combat platforms.

India is developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), an indigenous twin-engine stealth platform. Following significant government funding in 2024, the project is currently in the prototype phase, with a target for the first flight between 2028 and 2029.

In contrast, China’s J-35 family is more operationally mature. The J-35A land-based variant has already undergone flight testing and public demonstrations, while a naval variant is being developed for aircraft carrier deployment.

Russia continues to market its Su-57 fighter, claiming superiority in speed, range, and payload capacity over Western rivals. While Russian officials assert the Su-57 is combat-proven, analysts note that its stealth and avionics capabilities may lag behind the American F-35 and the Chinese J-20. Russia is actively seeking international clients, with recent deliveries to Algeria and potential interest from markets in the Middle East and Central Asia.