In a major boost to India's indigenous military aviation capabilities, the Ministry of Defence is on track to award the development contract for the advanced fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) within the next three to six months.
The confirmation came directly from Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, signalling a firm timeline for the nation's most ambitious combat aircraft project to date.
The AMCA programme is a critical strategic initiative aimed at developing a domestically produced stealth fighter, which will enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy.
The successful creation of the AMCA will place India among a very small and elite group of nations with the ability to design and manufacture their own fifth-generation combat aircraft, a significant step in addressing the evolving security landscape and military modernisation in the region.
Overseen by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the project received formal approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024. A budget of ₹15,000 crore was allocated for the initial phase, which includes the design, development, and testing of five prototypes.
The programme will be executed through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under a public-private partnership model, a landmark move to increase private sector participation in the nation's defence manufacturing sector. This allows leading private companies such as Tata and Larsen & Toubro to bid for the project, alongside the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The process for selecting a development partner is already underway. The ADA issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) on June 18, 2025, formally inviting Indian firms to participate in the prototype development and certification.
Following a pre-bid meeting with potential applicants in early July, the final deadline for responses is set for August 16, 2025. The partner chosen for this crucial project will be responsible for establishing dedicated manufacturing facilities.
The first prototype is expected to be completed by 2028, with its inaugural flight anticipated by late 2028 or early 2029.
The AMCA is being designed as a 25-tonne, twin-engine, all-weather multirole fighter. Its advanced features will include superior stealth to avoid enemy radar, an internal bay for carrying 1,500 kg of weapons, and the ability to carry an additional 5,500 kg of external munitions and fuel.
The aircraft will be developed in two phases. The initial Mk1 version will be powered by the General Electric F414 engine, while the more advanced Mk2 variant is planned to feature a more powerful, new-generation engine to be co-developed in India with an international partner, likely Safran of France.
With development trials projected to conclude by 2034, the AMCA is expected to enter full-scale production by 2035 and become a mainstay of India’s aerial defence fleet.
The program's success is a cornerstone of India's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' policy in the defence sector, aiming to build a robust industrial ecosystem and reduce dependency on foreign military imports.
