CCS Approves ₹15,000 Crore for AMCA, Two Variants to Feature Supersonic Cruising and AI-Powered Flight

India's ambitions in the aerospace sector received a major boost with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approving a ₹15,000 crore budget for the nation's 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

Led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the CCS decision signals India's continued determination to strengthen its indigenous defense capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign imports.

The AMCA represents a transformative leap in India's aerospace development, joining the Tejas Mk1A and MkII programs as part of the country's expanding portfolio of domestically produced fighter jets. This landmark project spotlights India's drive to become a major player in advanced combat aircraft design.

Two-Phase Development​

The AMCA development will proceed in two phases. Phase-I centers on the AMCA MKI variant, powered by GE F-414 engines with a 98kN thrust. In a significant boost for India's manufacturing sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will produce these engines locally. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already pledged to procure 40 AMCA MKI units, a vote of confidence in India's defense industry.

Phase-II will unveil the AMCA MK2, featuring radical performance enhancements. A powerful new engine in the 110-120kN class will allow the MK2 to achieve supersonic cruising speeds without the need for afterburners.

Moreover, cutting-edge avionics and pilot functions will incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced tasks like hands-free takeoff and landing, optimizing pilot efficiency and aircraft performance in combat situations.

Defense Modernization and Self-Reliance​

"The AMCA program is a cornerstone of India's defense modernization and embodies our commitment to 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'," stated a defence analyst based in New Delhi. "By developing advanced technologies in-house, we not only strengthen our armed forces but also fuel our economic growth."

The AMCA promises to deliver advanced stealth characteristics, supercruise capabilities, and potent sensor suites, positioning it as a formidable adversary in the skies. India's resolute push towards self-reliance in critical defense technologies promises to shape the country's strategic profile for decades to come.

 

[Frank]

Quoting from twitter

"Young People can save my post that ADA is just going to waste & enjoy picnic on huge budget of Rs 6500 cr + Rs 15,000 for LCA MK2 & AMCA. Both projects will see massive delay & cost overruns

Squadron level service entry of LCA MK2 will happen only after 2035, for AMCA after 2050"

ADA HAL guys keep winning free fund

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Quoting from twitter

"Young People can save my post that ADA is just going to waste & enjoy picnic on huge budget of Rs 6500 cr + Rs 15,000 for LCA MK2 & AMCA. Both projects will see massive delay & cost overruns

Squadron level service entry of LCA MK2 will happen only after 2035, for AMCA after 2050"

ADA HAL guys keep winning free fund

No need to save your post, my friend. Any Tannu-Deepak-Harinder who has been follwiing the progress of Tejas project knows AMCA is also going the same way.
HAL's incompetence combined with an import loving military - perfect recipe for another Tejas seasons-2 coming soon to a wikipedia near you.

 

[sanket]

Good after Long wait , Now Make Final call on Slecting Foreign partner for Engine development of 110kN to 120kN . without Indigenous Engine cant develop AMCA-MK2 Variant

 

[sanket]

Mark My word Tejas MK2 will happen by 2030 /31 & AMCA-MK1 2035.

 

[BnglrTester]

No need to save your post, my friend. Any Tannu-Deepak-Harinder who has been follwiing the progress of Tejas project knows AMCA is also going the same way.
HAL's incompetence combined with an import loving military - perfect recipe for another Tejas seasons-2 coming soon to a wikipedia near you.

What has HAL got to do with AMCA ? Isn't ADA the sole developer ?
DRDO is the most incompetent in the ecosystem. IAF is incompetent as well. HAL can be privatised, but what about DRDO and IAF ? This is a problem of our culture developed during early days of socialism.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Mark My word Tejas MK2 will happen by 2030 /31 & AMCA-MK1 2035.

Get real buddy. LCA MK2 prototype roll out itself has been postponed for 2025-27, after that the prototypes would start a long process of flight-testing trials, where its airframe would be put to test and the FBW software and control systems would be incrementally optimized and sub systems would also be added and tested on board.

Internationally, that process lasts for about 5-7 years, assuming they keep the timetable we are looking at 2032-34, to complete these flight trials even in the most optimistic scenario. After that assuming a contract is immediately given, we are looking at least 3-3.5 years to organize the production. Thus even in most optimistic scenario, we are unlikely to see a LCA MK2 anytime before 2037-38.

The AMCA was approved just recently in 2024, it would now at least take a year or two to fabricate the prototype itself. Now since its a new aircraft with a comparatively higher percentage of radical technologies, its bound to have a longer flight test regime. I would assume the AMCA would take at least 7-10 years to complete flight testing regime. Flight testing of AMCA is unlikely to be completed by 2035-37 even most optimistically. The production would take another 3-4 years, so the first units of AMCA would only enter service sometime in 2042.

 

[Akshat]

What has HAL got to do with AMCA ? Isn't ADA the sole developer ?
DRDO is the most incompetent in the ecosystem. IAF is incompetent as well. HAL can be privatised, but what about DRDO and IAF ? This is a problem of our culture developed during early days of socialism.

ADA is not the sole developer. In fact at one point more HAL scientists and engineers were working on AMCA than ADA employees. As for IAF, they have done their part in the whole thing.

 

[Akshat]

So beating expectations, approval has come in well under a year. Let’s see when ADA comes back with their bowl to ask for additional funds and time.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

ADA is not the sole developer. In fact at one point more HAL scientists and engineers were working on AMCA than ADA employees. As for IAF, they have done their part in the whole thing.

While I can't blame IAF for questioning HAL's conduct and commitment. That being said, IAF can not cover itself in glory either.

Not one person who has been following the MMRCA project has an iota of doubt that IAF has had in the past, instead of putting its weight beind Tejas, shown more inclination towards MMRCA aka Phoren Maal. It was well known, that IAF was delaying Tejas's orders over its fear that large orders of Tejas might impact MMRCA order.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Similarly MRFA, TEDBF and other important projects must be expedited .

 

[Agar]

ADA is not the sole developer. In fact at one point more HAL scientists and engineers were working on AMCA than ADA employees. As for IAF, they have done their part in the whole thing.

drawing pictures.

 

[Agar]

Mark My word Tejas MK2 will happen by 2030 /31 & AMCA-MK1 2035.

It will take 3-4 years to get the engines, so if it happens in 2034-2035 then it’s miracle.

 

[Sangram]

Govt should appoint someone senior officer from IA to keep pressure on them for timeline and work.

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Internationally, that process lasts for about 5-7 years, assuming they keep the timetable we are looking at 2032-34, to complete these flight trials even in the most optimistic scenario. After that assuming a contract is immediately given, we are looking at least 3-3.5 years to organize the production. Thus even in most optimistic scenario, we are unlikely to see a LCA MK2 anytime before 2037-38.

So what do you exactly want... ????

 

[Prashu Sam]

Clap hands!!!.. AMCA approved again
By 2042 we will have it (if we survive the major war by that time)

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

So what do you exactly want... ????

What I want is for DRDO to get real and stop quoting fantastical development timelines for their projects. Rather than trying to do everything in the platform all at once they ought to have adopted an incremental project development cycle, where priority is on getting the platform into the service as quickly as possible.

If it means the early batches of the platform would have relatively fewer indigenous components or would have to use imported sub-systems and weapon systems, then so be it. Once the platform is put into service a detailed comprehensive batch upgrade roadmap can be drafted and then successive batches can incorporate greater degree of indigenous components as time passes.

In the context of AMCA and LCA the whole development cycle has been screwed-up beyond measure. By the time they would enter service, the avionics around which they would have been developed would have become long obsolete.

 

[Ashutosh]

I doubt this- no official news by any official site or by ADA or GOI.

 

[NSR]

India must have ordered the development of Tejas Mk2 and AMCA with GE F414INS6 engines the day Tejas IA got FOC certificates.

By this time, India would have some working prototypes of both fighters to integrate and test all of its locally developed subsystems.

Too sad to know it took so long to approve.

 

[kumar]

Hoping funds disbursal starts soon.