India may be working on a third stealth fighter project.
We know the Ministry of Defense has already pledged to co-develop the FGFA variant of the Russian Sukhoi PAK-FA stealth fighter, and it's Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already working on designing the twin-engined advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). That means the Indian Air Force has both heavy and medium stealth fighter projects -- similar, perhaps, in concept to the high-F-22/medium-F-35 split by the US Air Force.
Now the Indian aerospace and defence press reports Indian Air Marshall PV Naik is in talks with Russia about a lightweight stealth fighter.
It's not clear if Naik is simply discussing a stealth fighter lighter than FGFA; if so, it is perhaps an invitation for Russia to join India's ongoing AMCA project.
If Naik is really discussing a light stealth fighter with the Russians, then it could mean India is considering a stealthy replacement for the long-awaited Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA). That would give India an all-stealth fleet divided into light, medium and heavy categories.
The concept of a light stealth fighter is a tough engineering challenge. To achieve radar stealth, all fuel and munitions must be carried internally. That's possible to do in a 60,000lb-class fighter, such as the Lockheed Martin F-22, or even a 40,000lb-class fighter, such as the F-35. But it's an even bigger challenge for a manned, 20,000lb-class fighter.
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