Why India Should Prioritize Ghatak UCAVs Over 5th Generation Fighters

As India’s regional adversaries rapidly enhance their air combat capabilities, calls have intensified for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to acquire fifth-generation fighter jets. China already operates over 300 J-20 stealth fighters, and Pakistan is in the process of acquiring 40 J-35s from China—both cutting-edge platforms featuring stealth, advanced sensors, and beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat superiority. In such a security environment, it seems intuitive for India to respond in kind, by inducting fifth-generation platforms such as the American F-35 or Russian Su-57.

However, a closer examination reveals that such acquisitions may not provide an optimal edge in a sustained conflict, particularly when weighed against India’s long-term strategic and economic interests. In fact, investing in India’s indigenous Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) may offer a more robust, scalable, and future-ready alternative.

The Mirage of Foreign 5th Gen Fighters

Both the F-35 and Su-57 are undeniably advanced platforms. The F-35 boasts unparalleled stealth, sensor fusion, and interoperability with Western forces. The Su-57 offers supermaneuverability and theoretical cost advantages. Yet, both options come with serious drawbacks for India.

Firstly, delivery timelines are a major concern. Even if India were to finalize deals today, neither aircraft would arrive before 2030–31, due to long production queues, export restrictions, and prioritization of domestic military needs by the U.S. and Russia. That leaves India vulnerable in the interim.

Secondly, the procurement cost is prohibitive. Based on the pricing patterns observed during India’s 2016 Rafale deal—where “India-specific” enhancements significantly raised the price—experts estimate that a fully customized F-35 or Su-57 could cost $300–400 million per unit, including weapons packages, spare parts, and maintenance agreements. These are not just aircraft purchases; they are long-term financial commitments.

Then there's the issue of technology transfer. The U.S. has historically refrained from sharing core technologies, including source codes and electronic warfare systems. India would be unable to freely integrate indigenous weapons like the Astra missile, forcing continued dependence on American munitions. The Su-57, while more open to collaboration, still does not offer full access to stealth coatings, engines, or radar systems—key components of a truly indigenous ecosystem.

In short, foreign 5th gen fighters offer tactical gains, but they come at the cost of strategic dependency, high operating costs, and limited adaptability to India’s unique defense needs.

Ghatak UCAV: India’s Homegrown Game-Changer

In contrast, the Ghatak UCAV presents an opportunity to reshape India’s aerial warfare doctrine. Designed by DRDO and ADA, Ghatak is a stealthy, unmanned combat drone expected to be highly indigenous in design and production. It is powered by the Kaveri engine—a domestic propulsion system—and features a flying-wing configuration optimized for low observability.

The projected procurement cost, according to DefenceXP, ranges between $50–70 million per unit. Even when equipped with indigenous munitions like the Astra Mk-3, the total cost remains far below that of any imported 5th-gen fighter. For the price of one F-35 or Su-57, India could potentially field three to four Ghatak UCAVs, each capable of conducting strike missions, surveillance, and even air-to-air combat roles with minimal human risk.

Beyond cost, Ghatak offers a degree of strategic flexibility that foreign platforms simply cannot match. As an unmanned system, it eliminates the risk to pilots in high-threat scenarios. It can operate independently or in tandem with manned platforms such as the future AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), acting as a “loyal wingman.” Its long endurance and low radar signature make it ideal for preemptive strikes and deep-penetration missions into contested airspace.

Most importantly, since it is being developed domestically, India retains full control over production, upgrades, and weapon integration. In wartime, this allows rapid scaling of production and adaptation to battlefield realities—advantages that foreign platforms can never offer due to licensing constraints and supply-chain dependencies.

Combat Scenarios and Strategic Calculations

To illustrate, consider a scenario in 2035 where India fields 114 F-35s and Pakistan has 40 J-35s, while China operates 350 J-20s. Even if India achieves a highly optimistic 3:1 kill ratio, losses will accumulate. With no domestic production line, India cannot replace its fighters quickly, while China continues rolling out J-20s. India would find itself at a numerical and strategic disadvantage, despite initial performance superiority.

Contrast this with a similar scenario involving 150–160 Ghatak UCAVs. With indigenous weapons and manufacturing lines, India could replace losses swiftly. Ghatak’s stealth, endurance, and coordination with other systems (like SAMs and AMCA) could provide sustained combat capability at a fraction of the cost, without risking pilots.

Economic and Strategic Returns

Investing $20–50 billion in indigenous UCAVs like Ghatak would boost India’s defense and economy by fostering domestic industries and creating skilled jobs. This amount matches the cost of buying 45–114 foreign fighters but keeps money within the country, unlike foreign purchases. It would reduce dependence on imports, support R&D, and improve manufacturing infrastructure. The investment also strengthens future projects like AMCA, enhancing India’s long-term self-reliance and security. Overall, it drives both national security and economic resilience.

Conclusion: Self-Reliance is the Superior Strategy

While imported 5th gen fighters may offer short-term tactical advantages, they do so at the cost of strategic autonomy, financial flexibility, and operational sustainability. The Ghatak UCAV, in contrast, aligns perfectly with India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, delivering cost-effective airpower, homegrown innovation, and control over escalation in a high-threat environment.

India must focus not just on matching its adversaries jet-for-jet, but on building a resilient, scalable, and sovereign defense ecosystem. Ghatak UCAV is not just an alternative—it is the smarter choice for India’s future.

Written by Praduman Kumar