DRDO Invites Private Sector for India’s Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet Push

New Delhi: Stepping up efforts to advance India’s next-generation fighter jet programmes, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited private companies and startups to participate in the development of the country’s sixth-generation fighter aircraft, with a key focus on quantum avionics technology.

The initiative aims to develop advanced quantum-based systems capable of detecting enemy targets even in concealed or complex operational environments, significantly enhancing future air combat capabilities.

Quantum avionics uses cutting-edge quantum technology to deliver highly precise navigation and situational awareness even in GPS-denied conditions, during communication jamming or when adversaries deploy advanced radar systems. The technology allows fighter jets to accurately determine direction, distance and the location of hostile assets in scenarios where current avionics systems struggle to perform reliably.

According to defence experts, quantum avionics represents a major technological leap beyond existing fifth-generation fighters. While modern aircraft such as the Rafale depend largely on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and electronic warfare systems, future air dominance platforms will require far greater precision, resilience and detection capabilities.

Key features of quantum technology include quantum inertial navigation systems, which enable aircraft to navigate with centimetre-level accuracy for hours without relying on satellite-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), ensuring uninterrupted operations in contested environments.

Another critical component is quantum magnetometry, which detects minute variations in magnetic fields, enabling the identification of concealed threats such as submarines or improvised explosive devices from high altitudes, effectively transforming fighter jets into powerful intelligence-gathering platforms.

Quantum radar and lidar systems, based on principles such as entangled photons, can detect stealth aircraft that remain invisible to conventional radar, offering a decisive advantage in future aerial warfare.

Through this initiative, the DRDO aims to place India at the forefront of next-generation air combat technology, equipping the Indian Air Force with enhanced situational awareness and the ability to dominate future battlefields. (Agencies)