Lolz ,,, we have no capacity to build a local design ... specially a fifth generation ... the focus is on lot of localization but design is the most complex part and cant be local as of now ...
At max on board design specifying the capability definition and technologies to be used will be done locally by the help of CAD but we are not equipped with building and testing prototypes as of yet ...
By looking at his post do you think he understands the purpose of thunder ? We all know thunder was short legged by design and not by short coming ... it was never intended for deep strike mission and to defend own territory it is fixed with IFR probe ...
Except for engine and hard points, thunder is a wonderful project and has delivered much more than our expectations ...
we replaced second generation aircraft like F7, F6 and Mirrage III with a true 4.5 generation fighter having capabiltiies of BVR engagement and stand-off munitions ... what else we could have done ?
Offcourse we need our future front end fighter to replace f16s but that has nothing to do with thunder poject