‘‘For expediting development work on MCA, government may consider collaboration with friendly countries,’’ he said. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Bangalore has already begun to conceptualise the MCA, possibly as India’s fifth-generation platform. The only operational fifth generation fighter right now is the American F/A-22 Raptor, with the F-35 Lightening II set to make its first flight this year.

At the most basic level, the wish-list that the IAF has for a fifth generation fighter, which should ideally begin flying operationally between 2015-2020, includes comprehensive stealth, a single engine, supercruise capabilities, an active electronically scanned array (AESA) combat radar and swing-role capabilities that allow seamless switching between air-to-air and air-to-ground modes inflight. This of course is in addition to the capability to operate entirely beyond visual range (BVR) of the enemy and perform short take-offs and landings.