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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed a concrete timeline for India's most ambitious aviation project to date.
Dr Samir V Kamat, the Chairman of DRDO, announced that the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter—is scheduled to roll out its first prototype by the end of 2028. This major milestone will be followed by the aircraft's maiden flight in early 2029.
These critical updates were shared during the Tejas-25 national seminar in Bengaluru, an event organised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to celebrate 25 years since the first flight of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
While the event commemorated past successes, the primary focus was on the future roadmap for Indian military aviation leading up to 2047, with the AMCA programme taking centre stage.
Shifting from Concept to Reality
According to Dr Kamat, the AMCA programme has successfully graduated from the initial design and conceptualisation phase. The project is now following a strict, time-bound development schedule that aligns with the requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).The short interval between the prototype rollout (2028) and the first flight (2029) suggests that engineers are working on multiple fronts simultaneously.
This strategy, known as parallel development, involves locking in designs while preparing manufacturing lines and testing subsystems at the same time, ensuring that long delays—often seen in complex defence projects—are avoided.
Technical Capabilities of the AMCA
The AMCA is envisioned as a 25-tonne class, twin-engine stealth fighter designed to provide India with air dominance capabilities.As a fifth-generation aircraft, it will feature advanced technologies that are currently possessed by only a few nations.
Key features include:
- Stealth Technology: The aircraft will use a special geometric design and radar-absorbing materials to make it difficult for enemy radars to detect.
- Internal Weapons Bay: Unlike older jets that carry missiles on their wings (which increases radar visibility), the AMCA will carry weapons inside its fuselage to maintain stealth.
- Advanced Sensors: It will possess state-of-the-art avionics and sensor fusion, allowing the pilot to see and track threats long before being detected.
- Engine Power: The initial squadrons (AMCA Mk1) are expected to be powered by the American GE F414 engines, while future versions (Mk2) will likely feature a more powerful, jointly developed engine.
Building on the Tejas Legacy
Dr Kamat’s confidence in the 2028–29 timeline stems largely from the ecosystem built during the LCA Tejas programme.Despite facing initial struggles, the Tejas project helped India establish a robust domestic supply chain, modern flight-test infrastructure, and a skilled workforce.
The DRDO and ADA are now applying these hard-won lessons to the AMCA project. By involving private industry partners early in the manufacturing process, the agencies aim to reduce risks and ensure the project remains on track.
Strategic Importance for the Indian Air Force
If the programme adheres to this schedule, India will join an elite group of countries actively flight-testing indigenous fifth-generation fighters before the end of this decade.A maiden flight in 2029 aligns well with the IAF's long-term planning, allowing sufficient time for rigorous testing and certification in the 2030s.
This is seen as a critical step towards self-reliance in the defence sector, ensuring that India’s future air power is not dependent on foreign imports.
