With the Defense Ministry’s recent acceptance of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program Execution Model, India’s long-standing goal of becoming one of the few countries with domestically produced fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft has advanced significantly. This action puts India in a position to strengthen its air power and strategic autonomy in a rapidly changing regional security environment by marking the end of years of planning and feasibility studies and the beginning of the active development phase.
The introduction of cutting-edge stealth aircraft like the US F-22 Raptor and the increasing need to replace aging MiG-21 and Mirage 2000 fleets sparked India’s search for a fifth-generation fighter in the early 2000s. A joint venture with Russia to create the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), based on the Su-57, was one of the first initiatives. However, India withdrew from the cooperation in 2018 because to conflicts over technology transfer and rising costs, refocusing attention on the AMCA, a purely indigenous option.
Designed to provide deep penetration, sophisticated stealth, and all-weather operational capability, the AMCA is a medium-weight, twin-engine, single-seat, multi-role stealth fighter. Important characteristics include:
Diverterless supersonic intake, internal weapons bay, and low radar cross-section for low detectability.’
Supercruise capability (supersonic flight without afterburners), 25-ton maximum takeoff weight, and 55,000-foot operational ceiling.
An electronic pilot driven by artificial intelligence, network-centric combat systems, advanced avionics, integrated vehicle health management, and AESA radar for long-range engagement.
Long-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions are supported by an exterior payload of 5,500 kg and an internal carrier of 1,500 kg.
There will be two versions of the AMCA: the MK-1, which will be powered by the General Electric F-414 engine, and the MK-2, which will have a more potent indigenous or jointly built engine.
A public-private collaboration is required by the recently authorized execution model, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) spearheading production in conjunction with private sector partners. Indian businesses will be invited to participate individually, in joint ventures, or as consortia through an Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). By utilizing local knowledge and expediting the prototype-to-production process, this strategy seeks to promote self-reliance (Atmanirbharta) in the aerospace industry.
At a cost of more than ₹15,000 crore, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) authorizes the full-scale engineering development of five AMCA prototypes.
The full-scale model is unveiled at Aero India 2025 once the execution model is approved by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Expected is the prototype rollout.
The manufacturing phase will start.
intended introduction into the Indian Air Force, with DRDO pledging to deliver by 2035.
With China quickly growing its J-20 fleet and Pakistan aiming to obtain cutting-edge aircraft like the J-35A, India is pushing for a fifth-generation stealth fighter in response to an increasingly hostile neighborhood. The adoption of AMCA is essential to preserving air superiority and deterrence because the Indian Air Force now only has 31 squadrons, far less than the authorized 42.
Penetrating strongly fortified enemy airspace, eliminating valuable targets, and maintaining survivability against advanced missile systems all depend on stealth jets. It is anticipated that the AMCA’s integration of networked warfare capabilities, AI, and sophisticated sensors will provide it a qualitative advantage in upcoming wars.
With the goal of delivering a state-of-the-art indigenous stealth fighter and lowering dependency on foreign technology, the AMCA program represents a turning point in India’s defense modernization. A fresh approach to major defense programs is reflected in the industry alliances and competitive execution model, which hold promise for changing India’s aerospace sector and safeguarding its strategic interests in an unpredictable regional environment.
