As of April 2025, there’s no word from the DRDO chief about ditching the fifth-gen fighter to focus solely on sixth-gen tech. In fact, India is going full throttle on both. The AMCA, a fifth-gen stealth fighter, has already been given the green light with a hefty ₹15,000 crore budget. They’re aiming to make five prototypes, with the first expected by 2026. Meanwhile, the DRDO is also working on a sixth-gen jet engine, backed by a $4–5 billion investment. It’s all part of India’s bigger plan for a more robust defense and tech self-reliance. The AMCA will even feature some sixth-gen tech, like AI, to up its game. Both projects are in motion!
