Defence Ministry Invites Private Bids For India’s Indigenous AMCA Stealth Fighter

In a major boost to India’s defence manufacturing ambitions, the Defence Ministry has formally issued the request for proposal (RFP) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s first indigenously developed fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The move marks a significant shift in India’s military aviation strategy, as the government has excluded state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd from the prototype development stage and opened the project exclusively to private sector players. The Rs 15,000 crore programme is being viewed as a landmark step towards expanding private participation in India’s high-end defence aerospace sector.

Three private sector contenders have been shortlisted for the prestigious programme after a technical evaluation process conducted earlier this year. These include Tata Advanced Systems, the consortium of Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Electronics Ltd and Dynamatic Technologies, along with another consortium comprising Bharat Forge, BEML and Data Patterns. The selected company or consortium will work alongside the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation to build five flying prototypes and one structural test aircraft for the AMCA programme.

The entire prototype development project will be funded by the government, while the private partner will be responsible for setting up operations at a new 650-acre greenfield aerospace manufacturing facility in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh. Officials believe the decision to involve private industry directly in fighter aircraft manufacturing could significantly accelerate development timelines and improve efficiency. The project is also expected to strengthen India’s self-reliance goals under the broader push for indigenous defence production and reduce long-term dependence on foreign military aircraft suppliers.

Also Read: India’s AMCA Stealth Fighter Programme Likely To Enter Bid Stage Next Month

The AMCA project represents one of India’s most ambitious aerospace programmes to date. The stealth fighter is expected to be a twin-engine, single-seat aircraft equipped with advanced stealth coatings, internal weapons bays and modern avionics comparable to some of the world’s leading fifth-generation fighter jets. According to preliminary specifications, the aircraft may operate at an altitude of up to 55,000 feet and carry 1,500 kilograms of weapons internally while supporting an additional 5,500 kilograms externally. The fighter is also expected to carry approximately 6,500 kilograms of fuel, enabling extended combat operations and enhanced mission flexibility.

Industry experts say the AMCA programme could transform India’s aerospace ecosystem by creating a robust private-sector defence manufacturing base. The shortlisted companies have been given around two to three months to submit detailed commercial and technical bids. The final selection process and contract award are expected between January and March 2027. The first prototype flight is projected sometime between 2028 and 2032, while operational induction into the Indian Air Force may take place after 2035, followed by serial production at the Andhra Pradesh facility.

Once inducted into service, India will join a select group of nations capable of designing and producing fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft. Currently, only the United States with the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II, China with the Chengdu J-20 and Russia with the Sukhoi Su-57 operate indigenous fifth-generation fighters. Defence analysts believe the AMCA programme will not only strengthen India’s air combat capabilities but also elevate its position in the global aerospace and defence technology landscape.

Also Read: India Opposes China-Pak Joint Statement References To Jammu And Kashmir