DECODING CHINA'S SIXTH-GENERATION FIGHTER AIRCRAFT PROGRAMME

China’s progress in sixth-generation aviation underscores its ambitions to project power far beyond its borders, influencing regional security dynamics and exacerbating the arms race in Asia

-  AIR MARSHAL ANIL KHOSLA RETD)

IN NOVEMBER 2024, AT THE ZHUHAI AIR SHOW, CHINA unveiled a full-scale model of its sixth-generation fighter, named the "White Emperor" or "Baidi." This aircraft is part of Project Nantianmen's research initiative exploring future aviation technologies. However, on December 26, 2024, pictures and videos of the flight of two advanced prototypes were shared on social media. These are considered to be its sixth-generation fighter jets but seem to have little similarity with the "White Emperor" model shown at Zhuhai Airshow 2024. This milestone underscores China's advancing aerospace capabilities and ambition to compete with global superpowers in the future of air combat.

China has made significant strides in developing cuttingedge military technologies in the ongoing arms race among world powers. China's Sixth-Generation Aircraft programme has generated considerable buzz in defence and aviation circles.

While official reports and state-controlled media often paint a picture of cutting-edge technology and a new era of Chinese air dominance, the hype surrounding these aircraft usually exceeds the tangible realities. At the heart of China's push for a sixth-generation fighter is surpassing existing US and Russian technologies by integrating artificial intelligence, enhanced stealth, hypersonic speeds, and advanced weaponry. However, the actual capabilities of these aircraft, still shrouded in secrecy, remain uncertain. Understanding the gap between expectation and reality is crucial for evaluating the true impact of China's ambitions on global aviation and defence strategies. The successful development and deployment of these sixth-generation fighters could potentially shift the balance of power in the global defence landscape, influencing the strategy and capabilities of other major powers.

THE PROTOTYPES