India's 5th-gen Stealth Fighter Jet Project gets Greenlight as AMCA Programme

India's approval of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project marks a historic leap in its defense and aerospace capalities, placing the country in the elite club of nations developing fifth-generation stealth fighter jets.

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India's first indigenously designed and developed fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter jet, conceptualized to ensure air dominance in future warfare scenarios.

It will replace older jets like the Mirage 2000 and MiG-29 and supplement the Rafale and Su-30MKI.

Approval

In March 2024, the Cabinet Commitee on Security (CCS) gave formal approval for the execution of the AMCA program. This approval includes sanctioning funding, project timelines and a development model combining public-private partnership.

In a press release today, the Ministry of defence said on Tuesday that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the AMCA programme execution model.

Led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO, the project will have manufacturing carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), along with participation from private sector companies, similar to the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model used in the Tejas Mk2 project. Indian industries will be allowed to bid independently, form joint ventures, and establish consortia for participation.

Features of AMCA

Radar-absorbing materials, internal weapons bays and reduced radar cross-section.
Air superiority, ground attack, electronic warfare and reconnassance.
Ability to fly at supersonic without afterburners.
Integration of data from multiple sensors (IR, radar, EW) for better situational awareness.
AI-assisted controls, threat analysis and targeting.
Advanced glass cockpit, AESA radar, infrared search and track (IRST) and fly-by-wire control system.

Timeline and Phases

Full-scale engineering development of design, systems, and materials is scheduled for 2024-2026. The first flying prototype is expected to be unveiled in 2026-2027. The maiden flight, conducted by DRDO and ADA, is anticipated in 2028. Certification and testing, including extensive flight and weapon trials, will take place from 2028 to 2032. Induction into the IAF is expected, with deployment of the AMCA Mk1 targeted for 2034.

Variant Planned

AMCA Mk1

Powered by GE F414 engines (same as Tejas Mk2).
Will contain some imported subsystems.

AMCA Mk2

Will be powered by indigenously developed engine (in collaboration with Safran or Rolls-Royce).
Aims for 100% indigenization and higher performance.

Atmanirbhar Bharat

75% indigenous content in initial Mk1 version.
Target of 85% indigenization in Mk2.
Will involve over 200 Indian companies, including:
Godrej Aerospace - Components
Bharat Electronics - Avionics
L&T, Data patterns and others - System and integration

This is a major boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India) in defense manufacturing.

India currently relies on foreign supplier (Russia for Su-30MKI, France for Rafale and USA for potential MRFA). A fifth-generation stealth aircraft developed indigenously ensure India can operate, modify and deploy advanced aircraft without external political or expert restrictions. In conflict situations (e.g with China or Pakistan), Import bans, sanctions or delayed supplies can cripple India air power AMCA reduces that risk.

Entry into the 5th-generation Club

Only a handful of nations USA, Russia, China have operational 5th-generation stealth fighters. With AMCA, India will becomes the 4th country globally to design, develop, test and deploy a 5th-gen aircraft indigenously, showing high-end military capability.

Export Opportunity and Defense Diplomacy

Once AMCA Mk1 and Mk2 are operational and tested, India can export the aircraft to friendly countries, especially those not aligned with US or Russian blocks. This strengthness India's soft power and strategic alliances.