With the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) requesting expressions of interest (EOI) from domestic companies for the development of the nation’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program has reached a significant milestone.
This important development follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s approval of the AMCA project’s execution model in May 2025, which signalled India’s resolute drive towards independence in cutting-edge defence technology and put the country in a position to become one of the select few nations able to produce fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
The ADA, a division of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), formally released an EOI for the AMCA development phase on June 18, 2025, and invited eligible Indian aerospace and defence companies to participate. Potential applicants, who may be sole proprietorships, joint ventures, or groups of businesses adhering to Indian laws and regulations, must meet the requirements outlined in the EOI document, which is accessible on the ADA website.
With a contract period of no more than eight years from the date of signing, the EOI states that applicants must exhibit technical capability for the development, prototyping, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA. In order to ensure a smooth transition from development to mass production, shortlisted entities must also be able to set up manufacturing facilities for series production.
The Expression of Interest (EOI) specifically states that “Reputed Indian companies experienced in the aerospace and defence sector with the capability to absorb the design of the AMCA and possessing adequate experience in development, engineering, manufacturing, equipping, integration, testing, quality management and customer support will be shortlisted” . This extensive requirement, which calls for knowledge in several areas of aerospace engineering and manufacturing, highlights the project’s complexity and sophistication.
The AMCA program marks a substantial shift from India’s conventional defense manufacturing strategy. A significant fighter jet project is being put up for competitive bidding for the first time, giving both public and private sector businesses an equal chance to participate. Approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2025, this ground-breaking execution model seeks to promote innovation through healthy competition, improve efficiency, and speed up the development process.
This change from a nomination-based selection process to a competitive merit-based one represents a daring attempt to break free from India’s historically state-dominated defense production system. In the past, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would receive these projects straight away without a competitive bidding process. Enhancing project accountability, bringing commercial rigor to execution, and facilitating foreign direct investment and technology infusion are all goals of the new strategy.
A strong domestic aerospace industry ecosystem is anticipated to be produced by the competitive model, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions of rupees in business opportunities for Indian companies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has referred to this strategy as “a very bold and decisive decision,” highlighting how it will improve India’s aerospace industry and bolster its defence capabilities.
Classified as a 5.5-generation fighter jet that integrates technologies beyond current fifth-generation platforms, the AMCA is being developed as a 25-ton, twin-engine, multi-role stealth aircraft. This cutting-edge aircraft can carry out a variety of tasks, such as electronic warfare (EW), air supremacy, ground-strike, and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD).
With internal weapons bays and a low radar cross-section, the AMCA’s advanced stealth design makes it harder for enemy radar systems to detect it. The aircraft can now carry weapons and fuel internally to maintain its low observability because the stealth shaping and internal systems layout have been finalized.
Artificial intelligence is incorporated into the aircraft to support real-time decision-making, which lessens pilot workload and improves combat effectiveness. Together with sophisticated electronic warfare suites, the distributed processing system has quick processors and intelligent subsystems.
The pilot has unified situational awareness thanks to the cockpit’s integration of inputs from several onboard sensors, such as the Uttam MK-II AESA Radar, an F-35-like EOTS (Electro-Optical Targeting System), and an integrated Electronic Warfare suite.
The AMCA can work in unison with other manned and unmanned platforms thanks to secure and real-time data links, which improves pilot coordination and battlefield awareness.
The AMCA’s design minimizes fuel consumption and thermal signature by achieving sustained supersonic speeds without the need for afterburners. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has been specifically entrusted by the Indian Air Force with creating an engine that can provide super-cruise at a height of 12 kilometers, a speed of Mach 1.3, and a dry thrust of 72 kN.
A wide-angle holographic head-up display, a multi-function display in portrait mode, a glass cockpit with a wide panoramic touchscreen display, and a hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) arrangement will all be features of the aircraft. To lessen pilot workload, it will also include voice-activated commands and a 3D audio warning system.
The AMCA is anticipated to reach a service ceiling of 20,000 meters, a combat range of 1,620 kilometers, and a maximum speed of Mach 2.15, or roughly 2,600 km/h. The aircraft will be able to conduct deep penetration missions and sustain air superiority in contested environments thanks to these capabilities.
Up to four Astra missiles in air-to-air configuration can be stored in the Internal Weapons Bay (IWB) while in stealth mode. When stealth is not a concern, the aircraft can carry a payload of about 1.5 tons internally and an extra 5 tons on external hard-points.
GE-414 engines, which will be manufactured in India under license from General Electric, will power the AMCA at first. To finalize the agreement for the domestic production of these engines, GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are presently engaged in negotiations.
The AMCA MK-1 fighter jets will be powered by the F-414 engine, which is well-known for its dependability and performance, during the program’s first phase. The F-414 will give India’s fifth-generation fighter jet the strength and agility it needs with a thrust rating of 98kN.
Beyond a straightforward supply deal, GE is offering HAL a significant 80% transfer of technology (ToT) to improve India’s aerospace capabilities and defense manufacturing independence. Through the Enhanced Durability Engine (EDE) upgrade, the company is also looking into the possibility of working with DRDO to co-develop a new engine based on the F-414 platform, possibly transforming it into a more potent variant that can deliver up to 120kN of thrust.
The co-development of more powerful engines for the more sophisticated AMCA MK-2 variant is being discussed with Britain and France. The goal of this partnership is to improve the aircraft’s performance and capabilities even more so that it can compete with other fifth-generation fighters around the world.
The development, testing, and production schedules for the AMCA project are all well-defined. Based on the current timetable:
The estimated cost of developing five AMCA prototypes is ₹15,000 crore, or roughly US$1.8 billion. It is anticipated that the first prototype will be released by 2028, with follow-up prototypes coming eight to nine months later.
The AMCA prototype is expected to make its first flight in late 2028 or early 2029. The final two prototypes will be used for weapons trials, while the first three will be used for developmental flight trials and user feedback from the Indian Air Force.
By 2034, the AMCA is expected to be fully developed, including both MK-1 and MK-2 variants. The Indian Air Force intends to induct seven AMCA squadrons beginning in 2035, when series production is anticipated to start.
India’s determination to decrease reliance on foreign suppliers and expedite the development of its own defense capabilities is reflected in this ambitious timeline. The project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024, and prototype development was given a budget of about ₹15,000 crore.
Given the changing regional dynamics and the expanding military prowess of neighboring nations, the AMCA project is strategically significant for India’s national security and defense posture. India’s drive for aerospace independence and investment in fifth-generation capabilities represents a clear response to China’s rapidly developing military technology and strengthening defense ties with Pakistan.
Only three nations currently fly fifth-generation stealth fighters: China (J-20), Russia (Su-57), and the United States (F-22 and F-35). If the AMCA is developed and implemented successfully, India will become the fourth nation with such cutting-edge capabilities, greatly strengthening its strategic position in the area.
An important turning point in India’s progress toward independence in cutting-edge defense technology has been reached with the announcement of the AMCA development’s call for expressions of interest. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and domestic capabilities, India is redefining its defense manufacturing strategy by embracing a competitive execution model that offers equal opportunities to both public and private sector businesses.
