Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved the “execution model” for implementing a major indigenous project to develop India’s fifth-generation, deep-penetration advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) for the Indian Air Force, potentially making India the fourth country to possess such stealth fighter jets.
At present, only three countries — the United States (F-22 and F-35), China (J-20), and Russia (Su-57) — operate fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
With China speculated to have developed a sixth-generation jet, India has recently accelerated the development of the AMCA, with advanced stealth capabilities, aimed at significantly enhancing the country’s air power.
“In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model,” the Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday.
Rajnath Singh called it an “important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, which will be a major milestone towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the aerospace sector”.
The initial development cost of the project is estimated to be approximately Rs 15,000 crore, with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) spearheading the programme through strategic industry partnerships.
With the latest approval, eligible Indian companies can now bid either independently or as part of consortia for various aspects of the aircraft’s development. ADA is expected to issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for industry participation in the coming months.
India’s confidence in the AMCA’s development received a major boost following the successful creation of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. Last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted in-principle approval for the fighter jet programme.
The urgency around the project has grown in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and rising tensions with China, which already operates a fifth-generation platform — J-20. Reports suggest China is also set to export 40 J-35 fighters to Pakistan.
A recent US Congressional report underlined China’s growing air dominance in the Indo-Pacific, noting its fleet of over 1,300 fourth-generation fighters and expanding deployment of J-20s, including near the Indian border in Tibet.
WHY IS AMCA A GAME CHANGER?
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an ambitious next-generation project aimed at developing a fifth-generation stealth, multi-role combat aircraft for both the Indian Air Force and Navy.
Designed to execute a wide array of missions, including air superiority, ground strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW). The AMCA will significantly enhance India’s aerial combat capabilities.
The single-seat, twin-engine aircraft is designed for all-weather operations and is expected to have a maximum takeoff weight of around 25 tonnes. It will be capable of flying at altitudes of up to 55,000 feet. The aircraft will feature an internal weapons bay with a 1,500 kg capacity, support an external payload of up to 5,500 kg, and carry 6,500 kg of fuel.
