India Begins ₹15,000 Crore Project To Build Indigenous AMCA Stealth Fighter

The Defence Ministry has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to three shortlisted industry consortia for the development and production of five prototypes of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), marking a major step in the country’s fifth-generation fighter jet programme. The project is estimated to cost around ₹15,000 crore. The selected bidders include Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), a consortium of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and a third grouping of Bharat Forge with Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML).

The initiative is expected to establish a second major fighter aircraft production ecosystem in India alongside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The AMCA programme, being developed under the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO, will feature advanced stealth capabilities, internal weapons bays, super-cruise capability, and AI-enabled systems. The aircraft is expected to compete with global fifth-generation fighters such as the F-35, China’s J-20, and Russia’s Su-57.

Powered initially by the GE-414 engine, the aircraft will incorporate indigenously developed systems in later versions. Officials have indicated that future variants may use upgraded engines developed in collaboration with France’s Safran, with higher thrust and localisation in India. According to the proposed timeline, the first AMCA prototype is expected by early 2027, with the maiden flight projected between 2028 and 2029. Serial production is likely to begin in the mid-2030s, after extensive testing and certification.

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The government recently laid the foundation stone for a ₹15,803 crore Integration and Flight Testing Complex at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, which will support advanced testing and development of next-generation aerospace platforms. The Cabinet Committee on Security has already cleared the development of five AMCA prototypes as part of the programme’s initial phase.

The AMCA is envisioned as a core element of the Indian Air Force’s future combat fleet, eventually replacing ageing platforms such as the Su-30 MKI. It is expected to carry a wide range of indigenous weapon systems, including Astra air-to-air missiles, precision-guided munitions, and advanced sensors designed to enhance survivability in contested airspace.

Parallel discussions are also underway regarding the possible acquisition of fifth-generation fighters from abroad, including a proposal involving Russia’s Su-57 under a “Make in India” framework. Additionally, India is in talks with France’s Dassault Aviation for potential procurement and local production of 114 fighter aircraft to strengthen force levels.

The AMCA programme reflects India’s push to expand domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on imports in critical military aviation technology, while positioning the private sector as a key partner in high-end aerospace production.

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