F-35 vs AMCA: A Stealth Fighter Face-Off You Should Know About

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) represents a significant leap into the fifth-generation stealth fighter category. As the nation seeks to reduce reliance on imported aircraft, AMCA is poised to redefine India’s aerospace capabilities. But how does it measure up against the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II — the world’s most combat-proven fifth-generation stealth jet?

The F-35 has been tested in multiple real-world operations with advanced avionics, stealth, and sensor fusion. The AMCA, still in development, aims to combine stealth, advanced engines, and AI-driven electronic warfare to offer India an indigenous answer to modern air threats. Its success is not just technical — it has strategic, industrial, and geopolitical implications that could shape India’s defense posture for decades.

Image Caption: AMCA and F-35 compared in terms of onboard systems and weaponry.

Engines and Performance

The F-35 is powered by the Pratt & Whitney F135 engine, capable of exceeding Mach 1.6 while maintaining stealth. Its F-35B variant offers short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) capabilities, enabling operation from carriers and constrained runways — a significant tactical advantage. Combat-proven reliability, high thrust-to-weight ratio, and low infrared signature make it a top choice for multiple air forces globally.

The AMCA’s first phase will use the GE F414 engine — the same engine powering India’s Tejas Mk 2 — to ensure reliable prototype testing. Future iterations, particularly the Mk 2, are expected to incorporate an indigenous engine with supercruise capability, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners. This is a key feature for modern stealth fighters as it reduces fuel consumption, increases mission endurance, and minimizes infrared detectability.

Understanding India’s engine evolution is crucial. The Kaveri engine project, although delayed, laid the groundwork for designing high-performance indigenous turbofan engines. Lessons from Kaveri, combined with GE F414 experience, will underpin the AMCA’s domestic propulsion system.

For context, see: SU-30MKI Upgrades: India's Engine Overhaul

Avionics and Tech Systems

The F-35 is frequently described as a “flying supercomputer.” Equipped with AESA radar, Distributed Aperture System (DAS), sensor fusion, and an advanced helmet-mounted display, pilots enjoy near-360° situational awareness. These systems integrate targeting, navigation, threat detection, and electronic warfare into a single, user-friendly interface — a game-changer in high-intensity combat.

The AMCA’s avionics suite, being developed indigenously by DRDO and HAL, emphasizes flexibility and upgrade potential. AESA radar, infrared search and track (IRST), electronic warfare systems, and AI-based sensor fusion are core components. According to Defense News, India aims to match global standards while enabling continuous software-defined upgrades.

This indigenous avionics approach ensures India maintains sovereignty over sensitive defense software and reduces reliance on foreign suppliers — a critical factor given geopolitical uncertainties.

Weapons and Firepower

The F-35 carries an extensive arsenal, including AIM-120 AMRAAMs, JDAMs, anti-ship missiles, and precision-guided bombs, all internally stored to maintain stealth. Modular weapon bays allow simultaneous engagement of multiple targets while preserving radar cross-section.

AMCA is designed to deploy Indian-made weapons such as Astra air-to-air missiles, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, and SAAW precision-guided bombs. Internal bays preserve stealth, and when operational requirements allow, external pylons can increase payload capacity.

Feature	F-35 Lightning II	AMCA (India)
Top Speed	Mach 1.6+	Mach 1.8 (projected)
Engine	Pratt & Whitney F135	GE F414 (Phase 1), Indigenous (Phase 2)
Stealth	Operational and combat-proven	In development/testing
Weapons	AMRAAMs, JDAMs, guided bombs	Astra, SAAW, Rudram
Tech	DAS, sensor fusion, helmet-display	AESA radar, IRST, AI sensor fusion
Operational Status	Active, multiple air forces	Prototype/Pre-production
Range	1,600 km (combat)	1,800 km (projected)
Crew	1	1

Strategic Value for India

The AMCA program is more than a military project — it is a strategic investment in India’s domestic aerospace and defense ecosystem. Collaboration between DRDO, HAL, and private-sector firms is expected to generate over 4,000 high-skilled jobs while fostering a robust R&D ecosystem capable of developing next-generation aircraft, UCAVs, and electronic warfare platforms.

By reducing dependence on imported fighters, India secures operational sovereignty over its air power decisions. Indigenous production also allows technology absorption, long-term upgrade paths, and stronger negotiation leverage in global defense markets.

For related defense innovation, see: India's Bhargavastra Drone Defense Project

Image Caption: Both jets pack serious firepower but from different development ecosystems.

Common Reader Questions

Q1. Is the AMCA better than the F-35?
Currently, the F-35 has operational maturity and combat experience. The AMCA is in development but promises similar stealth, avionics, and weapons capability once fully operational.

Q2. When will the AMCA fly?
The first flight is expected in 2026–27, with operational induction likely in the early 2030s. Future Mk 2 variants will feature indigenous engines, AI-assisted avionics, and next-generation stealth coatings.

Q3. Will India export the AMCA?
Yes. Once production stabilizes, India may offer AMCA to strategic partners in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Middle East as a cost-effective fifth-generation stealth solution.

Q4. How does AMCA affect India’s defense industrial base?
It strengthens indigenous aerospace manufacturing, increases R&D capabilities, prepares India for UCAVs, next-gen fighters, and enhances India’s ability to innovate in defense electronics, sensors, and materials.

Historical Context and Global Comparison

The AMCA program builds on decades of Indian experience with LCA Tejas, Su-30MKI upgrades, and UAV projects. Unlike the F-35, which benefits from decades of U.S. and allied R&D, AMCA faces the dual challenge of developing indigenous engines, stealth coatings, and AI-driven systems while meeting global fifth-generation standards.

Globally, AMCA will be compared to fighters like the U.S. F-35, Russian Su-57, and Chinese J-20. Each aircraft has unique strengths: F-35 excels in sensor fusion and combat record, Su-57 focuses on maneuverability, and J-20 emphasizes range and payload. AMCA aims to combine stealth, speed, and indigenous systems for India’s specific strategic needs.

Industrial and Strategic Implications

The AMCA program also reinforces the "Make in India" initiative, creating advanced manufacturing hubs, employing skilled engineers, and nurturing aerospace startups. By controlling the design and software ecosystem, India minimizes dependence on foreign defense contractors — a vital factor in times of conflict or sanctions.

From a strategic perspective, AMCA enhances India’s air deterrence, supports carrier-based aviation for future Navy platforms, and strengthens defense exports. In combination with indigenous weapons like Astra and Rudram, AMCA ensures India maintains technological parity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Verdict: Power vs Potential

While the F-35 dominates today due to combat readiness, the AMCA embodies India’s vision for a sovereign aerospace future. Its successful development would represent a leap in indigenous technology, strategic independence, and global defense credibility.

The AMCA may take time to mature, but when it takes to the skies, it will carry weapons, cutting-edge technology, and the aspirations of a nation determined to lead, not follow, in the domain of next-generation air combat.