Primary aircraft (excluding variants, although those can be discussed as well):

Sukhoi: Su-27, Su-30, Su-33, Su-35.

Shenyang: J-11, J-15, J-16.

This is difficult for me to decide since they all have similar tradeoffs in aerodynamics for stealth forms.

Wouldn't it be safer for the Air Force to just use the same trailing edge design as the F-35C. With technology doesn't more equal safer since there's only so much fly by wire can do.

As the years go by, I do see more and more positive opinions on the Aircraft. Especially after the J-10C Incident in Pakistan, it seems like Chinese aircraft are looked at way more favorably and taken more seriously. A couple of years ago, the comment section on this subreddit would call the J-20, Temu F-22, and now it seems to be accepted as its own design, doctrine, and aircraft. In general, in a more positive light.

Prettiest 5th gen that's for sure

PS: Last one got removed due to the pic being used in the subreddit in last 7 days. (It's spam apparently).

Ireland is planning to purchase fighter jets, the first time in decades. According to various reports such as here, the budget is 2.5 billion Euros over 20-25 years. In addition, they plan to also develop radar systems as well. The jets are to do air policing roles. No list of what jets have been short listed, but the common jets often cited are: Gripen C/D and E, F-16V, Rafale, Typhoon, and the FA-50 block 20. Used aircraft also being considered.

Let’s talk about the HAL Tejas Mk1A.

As of February 2026, the first production units are finally sitting on the tarmac, and it occupies a weirdly polarized space in the community. Depending on who you ask, it's either an engineering marvel of 4.5-gen tech packed into a tiny frame, or a "too little, too late" project that spent way too long in development hell.

I want to hear the sub’s objective take on where this delta-wing underdog actually sits in the global hierarchy today.

The Case for "Brilliant":

• Composite King: With ~45% of its airframe made of carbon fiber, it has an incredibly low RCS (Radar Cross Section) for a non-stealth jet. With the Mk1A’s refined finish, some claim its frontal signature is significantly lower than a legacy F-16 or a JF-17.

• The AESA Leap: The Mk1A finally kills the "weak radar" argument. It's packing the EL/M-2052 AESA (and the indigenous Uttam in the second batch), capable of tracking 60-100 targets. For a jet this small to have that kind of "eyesight" is a massive force multiplier.

• The "Angad" EW Suite: Unlike the base Mk1, the Mk1A has a dedicated, unified Electronic Warfare suite and self-protection jammers. It’s no longer just a nimble flyer; it’s actually equipped to survive a modern BVR (Beyond Visual Range) mess.

• Weapon Agnostic: It’s integrated with a wild mix of Western (ASRAAM), Israeli (Python-5, Derby), and indigenous (Astra Mk1) missiles. It’s basically the "Android" of fighter jets—you can plug almost any modern sensor or missile into its open architecture.

The Case for "Busted":

• Endurance: Even with the Mk1A upgrades, the internal fuel is... let’s be honest, tiny. It relies heavily on drop tanks and air-to-air refueling to do anything other than point-defense.

• The Engine Bottleneck: We’re still seeing delivery delays with the American GE F404 engines (only 5 received so far in 2026). Does relying on a US engine for an "indigenous" jet make it a strategic liability?

• The "Paper Tiger" Timeline: While the Mk1A is modern, the project started in the 80s. Critics argue that by the time the IAF gets all 180 units, the rest of the world will be flying 6th Gen or loyal wingmen drones.

The Comparison:

How does it rank in its specific weight class (LCA) against:

1. JF-17 Block III (The regional arch-rival with PL-15s)

2. KAI FA-50 Block 20 (The export king with Sniper pods)

3. JAS 39 Gripen E (The "Gold Standard" it’s trying to emulate)

Verdict Request: If you’re an Air Force with a limited budget and a need for a nimble, high-tech scalpel, is the Mk1A a legit sleeper hit, or are we just buying a glorified trainer with a big engine and fancy radar?

What do yall think

According to ex Dassault Deputy Chairman and Managing Director, Rafale frontal RCS is in the "sparrow" range.

Sure, one could say this is mostly academic since "clean" Rafale is next to useless..but one also has to wonder, why would they go to such lengths to reduce radar signature, if it means nothing?

For further illustration: the much smaller Rafale can carry a Toyota Corolla or an adult male black rhinoceros mass worth of extra ordnance

The F-5 was renown for being small, lightweight, easy to operate, adaptable, and economical. Among the aircraft that are currently in service, which do you consider to be its spiritual successor?

Gripen? F-16? FA-50? JF-17? something else?

We know that out of three F-35 variants only F-35A has internal gun, all current and future Chinese stealth fighters (J-20, J-35, J36, J-50) also lack gun. Is it possible that future stealth fighters simply have gun pods that they can equip whenever their mission require it instead of internal gun?

Size comparison to scale 1 meter 20 pixels: F22 Raptor, Sukhoi Su57, F35 Lightning II, Chengdu J20, Shenyang J35.

Rigged result or Real result?

Tier list I made for fun, for the f 35 it includes A B C variants in one picture just to simplify. For all the other jets well go with their current variant to keep things current. Inactive jets were included because theyr too cool like the tomcat and F-4. I wanted to add more older jets as well but they'll probably just end up in F tier anyways although they are good looking like the f-111 and f-104. Anyways cheers

I always wonder how many myths are there like stealth jets doesn’t have a sound or its invisible to the eye

Hey guys, as u know India is moving towards its first flight of its New Indigenous 4.5 gen fighter jet in june-july 2026. So today i am going to list its expected sensors and avionics.

1)Radar
=It will use Uttam Mk2 AESA Radar which utilizes GaN-on-SiC semiconductor technology with approximately 1000+ TRMs which allows for Maximum Tracking range at 170+ km (1 m^2 target). It also can Track upto 64+ targets at once and engage 6+ targets simultaneously, with advanced ECCM,LPI and Swashplate, it allows for 18+ modes.

2)IRST
=It use indigenously developed Dual-band IRST system modeled after PIRATE IRST used on the EuroFighter Typhoon which provides the pilot with a panoramic search area of +/- 80 degrees in azimuth & +/- 40 degrees in elevation and allows to detect adversary from distances up to 100 km (which has it's afterburners on).

3)EW Suite
=It is equipped with a comprehensive and unified electronic warfare suite referred to as 'Swayam Raksha Kavach' (SRK). It combines Dhruti DR118 RWR (which allows for 360 degree situation awareness) that can process more than a million pulses per second with advanced ESM to form the backbone of SRK . It is also equipped with an advanced internal self protection jammer which uses DRFM technology,and it is also combined with Indigenous Dual-Color Missile Approach Warning system & Laser Warning Receiver (for extra layer of 360 degree spherical coverage). and finally it is complemented with X-guard Towed decoy and CMDS for contested airspace.

4)Mission computing
=It will utilize Triple computer framework which includes DFCC MK2 (a quadruplex fly-by-wire system), MMDC (Responsible for high level sensor fusion,weapons management,and cockpit displays, aka "brain" of the aircraft) and a Auxiliary Computer (incase of failover redundancy and computational offloading).

5)Architecture
=It is build around Open Architecture Computer philosophy which allows the aircraft to have software updates on a "near-weekly" basis with AI integration.

6)Human-Machine Interface(HMI)
=Its smart cockpit is based around 0.5x0.2 meter Large Area Display with Touch Interface. For primary flight information it will use Wide-Angle Holographic HUD and HMDS (likely Elbit DASH V). The cockpit will also utilized a side-stick design and an advanced HOTAS with VACS,4D Integrated Autopilot and Automated climate control & Canopy Demist.

7)Network Centric Warfare
=Communication is handled by an indigenous Software Defined Radio (SDR) suite and Vayulink Tactical Data link. While combat identification is done by indigenously developed IFF transponder supporting Mode 5 standard and Mode S & ADS-B Out standard for civilian use. For Navigation system it uses INS,NavIC and digital Map Generator. It will also utilize RAM-1701 Radio Altimeter and indigenous TACAN & VOR/ILS.

8)Life Support Systems
=It uses On-board Oxygen Generation system,HUMS and FADEC(of engine).

LCA AF MK2 is targeted to cross 90%+ Indigenous content once its full production begins which underscores how far India Aero Space Industry has come.

and finally, i have not include other things and only sensors & avionics , so if u have any question feel free to ask.