Maroc - EURASIAREVIEW.COM - A la une - 16/Jul 22:58

Indo-Pacific Air Power Race: India’s AMCA Joins Fray As US And Allies Navigate Strategic Challenges – Analysis

Washington-Beijing ties are strained and unlikely to get better soon. Because of this, the US military is getting ready for the possibility of a conflict in the Indo-Pacific region. This area includes the Indian Ocean and the western and central parts of the Pacific Ocean, covering such countries as India, Japan, Australia and South-East Asian nations, such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines. Its importance lies in the global trade and military activities it nurtures. The US military is modernizing its equipment as part of its preparations. According to The Diplomat, a key part of this effort for the US Air Force is the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme, which aims to develop a sixth-generation combat aircraft—an advanced type of fighter jet that represents the latest in military aviation technology—to maintain air superiority for many years. These aircraft are designed to be stealthier, faster and more manoeuvrable than previous generations. They also incorporate cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, advanced sensors and networked communication systems to give them a significant edge in combat situations. The F-35 is a fifth-generation fighter jet used by the US military and its allies. Washington attaches importance to the fact that the US Air Force is not the only military branch in the Indo-Pacific region getting new combat aircraft. Countries in that region considered rivals of the US are currently developing their own next-generation fighter jets. China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is working on a sixth-generation fighter jet, too. According to Rick Joe in The Diplomat, this new plane may be ready for use by the mid-2030s. Moscow wants to prove that its defence industry is effective even after two years of war and international sanctions. Russia is working on a sixth-generation combat jet known as the Mikoyan MiG-41, also called the Prospective Air Complex for Long-Range Interception (PAK DP). Reliable information is hard to come by and the war with Ukraine is delaying the production of the MiG-41. Media reports indicate that the first flight is anticipated in 2025, with production potentially starting by decade-end. For US allies and partners, Washington’s strategic decisions and purchase policies are crucial. Japan is involved in the Tempest stealth fighter project—a collaboration between the UK, Italy and Japan. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has announced the beginning of construction for a fleet of KAI KF-21 Boramae fighter jets. Japan and South Korea are also buying the Lockheed F-35 Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter jet. In 2023, the US State Department approved the sale of 25 F-35-A jets to South Korea. Taiwan’s Aerospace Industrial Development Corporation (AIDC) is working on a new fighter jet, called the Advanced Defense Fighter (ADF). India, which has a complicated relationship with Washington, is also looking into next-generation fighter jets, too despite its strong ties with Moscow. The state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will produce a fifth-generation fighter jet for the military, called the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). In January, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led a delegation to the UK, sparking rumours that New Delhi might join the Tempest stealth fighter programme. As countries in the Indo-Pacific and Europe work on developing and acquiring new combat aircraft, the US Air Force must stay competitive in this challenging and rapidly changing field. It’s important for the US to keep up so it does not fall behind. Rather than just keeping up with rivals, it must also surpass them and help its allies. In May 2023, US Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said the NGAD Platform was a crucial part of the Air Dominance family of systems. He highlighted that it represented a major technological advancement over the F-22, which it would replace. The new combat aircraft, set to replace the Lockheed F-22 Raptor by 2030, will take on various roles, including countering enemy aircraft, attacking ground targets and engaging in air combat. The basis of the new aircraft is the Loyal Wingman programme, which plans to use an AI-controlled drone to fly alongside the next generation of manned combat planes. The US Air Force is thinking of buying up to 200 NGAD aircraft, each costing about $300 million. If they go ahead, the total cost of the programme could be around $28 billion over the next five years. As the other US-made defence systems, the NGAD will eventually be sold to allies in Asia and Europe. However, the future of the NGAD program is uncertain. In mid-June, during a talk at the Air & Space Forces Association, US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin mentioned they would need to make various choices and decisions about the NGAD programme over the next few years. These comments made defence news and analysis groups worry that the programme might be at risk. The issue for the US Air Force and its allies is that the costly F-35 programme has not assured them that they can keep air superiority in conflicts with other major military powers. The Government Accountability Office reported that the initial cost of one F-35 was $130 million for 8,000 flight hours. However, this amount has since skyrocketed to $450 million. Fewer than one-third of the F-35s made are ready for combat. The Project on Government Oversight has even called it a ‘part-time fighter jet’. The F-35’s poor performance does not give much confidence to US allies, either. Efforts to improve the jet with upgrades and fixes have faced issues, too. Early attempts to solve many technical problems led to higher costs and expanded project goals. Early attempts to address various technical problems led to increased expenses and expanded project goals. The Pentagon has once more stopped delivering upgraded F-35 jets because of software problems. Given recent scandals involving military secrets being sold to Beijing, it is likely that US adversaries, such as China, are keeping an eye on the progress of the F-35 programme. Deterrence is not just about the technical details of weapons; it also depends on logistical capabilities and economic benefits. The F-35 programme does not perform well in any of these areas. If an F-35 cannot fly and costs as much as many Chinese planes or thousands of inexpensive Chinese drones, it will not scare off Washington’s opponents in the Indo-Pacific, nor will it comfort US allies. While US rivals and allies in the Indo-Pacific are creating next-generation combat aircraft and other advanced weapons, Washington continues to back the unreliable F-35 programme. By doing so, valuable programmes, such as drones upgrades, surface-to-air improvements and the NGAD initiative are being delayed or jeopardized. Now is not the time to ignore better options.