India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given the green light for the development of the country’s most advanced stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This project aims to bolster India’s air capabilities amid a new arms race with neighboring Pakistan and China. The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter jet with advanced stealth features, sensor fusion, internal weapons bays and supercruise capability.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will spearhead the AMCA project in partnership with private industry partners. Indian companies can bid independently or as a joint venture for the project. This move is part of India’s broader vision of Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence production. The project is expected to create significant business opportunities and jobs for Indian entities.
The development of the AMCA is crucial for the Indian Air Force, which currently operates mainly Russian and ex-Soviet aircraft. The force has fallen to 31 squadrons from an approved strength of 42, while rival China is rapidly expanding its air force. The AMCA is expected to dramatically bolster India’s aerial combat capabilities, particularly in high-threat environments.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set a deadline of 2035 to deliver the AMCA. The project involves developing a 25-tonne twin-engine aircraft with an internal fuel tank capacity of 6.5 tonnes. The engine is likely to be developed through a joint venture with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This project marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem