By formally committing to the development of five prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, before moving forward with series production, India has taken a major step in modernizing its air power.
At the CII Business Summit, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the announcement, stressing the project’s significance as a major advancement for the nation’s domestic defence capabilities and a landmark accomplishment under the Make-in-India drive.
The AMCA project seeks to develop a medium-weight, deep-penetration fighter jet with cutting-edge stealth capabilities. It is led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The aircraft is designed to perform a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and electronic warfare. Once operational, the AMCA, alongside the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, is expected to form the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for decades to come.
A crucial stage of the AMCA initiative is the creation of five prototypes. To make sure the aircraft satisfies the exacting standards of contemporary combat, these prototypes will go through a thorough testing and evaluation process. In collaboration with public sector behemoths like HAL, the defense ministry has approved the “execution model,” allowing for the first time substantial private sector involvement in the project. This strategy aims to decrease reliance on public-sector monopolies, promote innovation, and quicken development timetables.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the AMCA project in principle last year, with an estimated initial development cost of ₹15,000 crore.
Given its long-term operational needs and the fact that India does not currently have a fifth-generation fighter in its inventory, the IAF has been advocating for the AMCA. Given the dynamics of regional security, such as China’s deployment of Chengdu J-20 stealth aircraft and its alleged plans to transfer J-35 jets to Pakistan, the project’s urgency has intensified.
The AMCA will have state-of-the-art features like sensor fusion, superior avionics, supercruise capability, all-aspect stealth, and an internal weapons bay. In its initial version, it will be powered by US GE F414 engines; later versions will likely use a more potent, domestically produced engine. The aircraft can carry up to 6,500 kilograms of fuel, sustain both internal (1,500 kg) and exterior (5,500 kg) cargo, and have a maximum takeoff weight of about 25 tonnes.
Current projections indicate that the first AMCA prototype will be released between 2028 and 2029, followed by serial production by 2032–2033 with IAF induction in 2034. By 2035, the DRDO plans to produce the first working AMCA. With the potential to improve India’s defense technological independence and fortify its strategic position in the region, the project represents a turning point for the country’s aerospace industry.
India hopes to create a strong domestic aerospace industry and guarantee that the AMCA remains a pillar of its national security for the foreseeable future by enlisting the help of the public and private sectors in this ambitious project.
