AMCA Program Reportedly Faced Bureaucratic Scrutiny over Cost Concerns
India's highly anticipated Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, a cornerstone of the nation's defence modernization, has reportedly faced bureaucratic resistance stemming from budgetary concerns.
According to India Today media reports, the program encountered opposition when seeking approval for a budget of nearly ₹15,000 crore from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).
Sources indicate that this opposition originated from multiple fronts, surprisingly including factions within the Indian Armed Forces themselves. The primary concern voiced by these groups is the program's potentially burdensome financial requirements.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), responsible for leading the AMCA project, seems to have experienced significant bureaucratic hurdles even in the initial approval stages. The ADA submitted its proposal for CCS clearance roughly a year ago, yet extensive negotiations with Indian officials were required to gain the necessary approval.
To push for faster approval, the ADA reportedly sought intervention from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), expressing concerns that further delays could lead to the aircraft becoming obsolete before reaching fruition. This suggests a sense of urgency regarding the AMCA's timely development within the global arms race.
The report highlights Turkey's successful first flight of its TF-X stealth fighter, nicknamed "Kaan," as a potential catalyst. Sources speculate that this success may have highlighted the risk for India of falling behind nations aggressively pursuing next-generation fighter jet technology.
Though it remains unconfirmed whether the Kaan's first flight directly influenced the CCS's ultimate decision-making, reports suggest a combination of the ADA's persistence in addressing concerns and the heightened sense of international competition may contribute to the program's eventual approval.