Each AMCA Fighter Jet Prototype May Cost Around ₹1,000 Crore ($115M), Significant Cost Reduction Expected During Serial Production

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's first indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, is expected to have a hefty price tag for its initial prototypes.

A senior Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) official revealed at Aero India 2025 that each prototype is estimated to cost around ₹1,000 crore (approximately $115.12 million). This high initial cost is attributed to the development and testing of cutting-edge technologies incorporated into the aircraft.

HAL plans to produce five AMCA prototypes for developmental flight trials and weapons testing. The first prototype is anticipated to be ready by the end of 2027, with its maiden flight scheduled for 2028. Each subsequent prototype will be manufactured at a similar cost to facilitate comprehensive testing and evaluation.

However, there is good news on the horizon. The HAL official stated that the per-unit cost is projected to drop below $100 million once the AMCA enters serial production around 2034. This significant cost reduction will be achieved through economies of scale and streamlined manufacturing processes. This would position the AMCA as one of the most cost-effective fifth-generation fighter jets globally.

The AMCA program represents a major stride towards India's goal of self-reliance in aerospace and defence manufacturing. As a stealth fighter, the AMCA will boast advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and AI-driven combat capabilities, placing it at the forefront of aerial warfare technology. With the backing of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the AMCA is poised to play a pivotal role in securing India's future aerial dominance.

This ambitious project underscores India's commitment to developing indigenous defence technologies and reducing its reliance on foreign suppliers. The AMCA is not just a fighter jet; it symbolizes India's technological prowess and its determination to secure its place on the global stage.

 

[Scooter2000]

F35 is of lower quality than F-22 as the USA does not want to give away the secret stealth technology to even its allies. Further, it requires too much service and connecting up to OEM.

Russian fighter jets are cheaper.

Again "absurd" the F-35 is much more capable than the F-22. Just because it wasn't allowed for export has nothing to do with it. That was a different time and place. Plus, stealth technology was brand new at the time.

 

[Scooter2000]

Russia has not the overhead cost of America. Labor is cheaper there.

Russia has "22" Su-57s while the US has built over a 1,000 F-35s. At this stage or even the foreseeable future the Su-57 is going to be "pricey". Regardless, how Moscow wants to spin it....

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Su57 is going to cost even higher than F35 in production. Don't believe in Russian propaganda.

I'm not prepared to believe what you're saying. For sure, F-35 will be costlier. Also, F-35 comes with its own additional overheads, constraints etc.

Considering all that, Su-57 will be much cheaper when jointly developed in India, just like BrahMos. And Russia would be willing to give 100% TOT and complete export and IP control, given its economic status.

 

[Dredd]

I'm not prepared to believe what you're saying. For sure, F-35 will be costlier. Also, F-35 comes with its own additional overheads, constraints etc.

Considering all that, Su-57 will be much cheaper when jointly developed in India, just like BrahMos. And Russia would be willing to give 100% TOT and complete export and IP control, given its economic status.

SU-57 can't be said as a true 5th-generation jet due to its limitations in stealth and avionics. There has always been a difference between what Russia promises and what it delivers. If all was so rosy, then why did IAF pull out of SU-57 after initial funding? At that time, they didn't even allow once to evaluate and test the jet by our pilots and scientists. And this was just 6 years ago.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

SU-57 can't be said as a true 5th-generation jet due to its limitations in stealth and avionics. There has always been a difference between what Russia promises and what it delivers. If all was so rosy, then why did IAF pull out of SU-57 after initial funding? At that time, they didn't even allow once to evaluate and test the jet by our pilots and scientists. And this was just 6 years ago.

I think you're referring to the PAK-FA project. From what I read, India was not impressed with what Russia offered. TOT was not up to the mark and most of all, Russia was not willing for co-production as they were not interested to work with Indian "scientists" and "engineers" from HAL/DRDO and hence wanted India to be only an investor, bringing in billions of dollars.

My opinions are based on the articles published in IDRW and elsewhere comparing both Su-57 and F-35. Other than that, I've not much insider information about Su-57.

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

Russia has "22" Su-57s while the US has built over a 1,000 F-35s. At this stage or even the foreseeable future the Su-57 is going to be "pricey". Regardless, how Moscow wants to spin it....

Yes, people just look at 'claimed specs' and ignore certain ground realities. F-35 production lines have matured. Despite problems, over 1000 have been delivered and Lockheed has been producing 10+ every month for some time.Su-57 on the other hand is still facing engine issues and the investment requirement for large-scale serial production hasn't been made yet. Russia doesn't have the money - they have been fighting a massively costly war for the past 3 years.

 

[Carrot]

F35 is of lower quality than F-22 as the USA does not want to give away the secret stealth technology to even its allies. Further, it requires too much service and connecting up to OEM.

Russian fighter jets are cheaper.

No no, you are wrong here. F35 has many advantages over F22. The only reason the US does not want to give away the F22 is for the sole reason of it being the most advanced 5th gen aircraft since 1991. No other aircraft has even come close to it. But F35 indeed has few better features than F22 and vice versa.

 

[Leored]

We need business man like Elon Musk who can crush and throw corrupted bureaucrats and babus from the defence system. Specially mountain of corrupted people in HAL.

 

[KVS]

Indian defence PSUs and ordnance factories produce poor quality stuff at three times the cost of foreign entities. Logically, with the dollar to rupee value of over 86.5 and three to four times less in salaries than those paid to foreign workers and engineers, the Indian 5th generation fighter should not be more than 40 to 50 million. Milking by the political elite, Babus, unions, and unlimited overtime to workers, and slow, lethargic work practices, Indian defence products today cost as much as foreign-produced ones, whether ships, aircraft, guns, arms, or ammunition. Third-party audits need to be done as the entrenched CAG, being an equally corrupt government entity, is neither capable nor professional in auditing these socialist-communist defunct monoliths, especially HAL, which in 40 years has produced only 36 LCAs.

Please stop your abuse!

 

[skyfall21]

I'm not prepared to believe what you're saying. For sure, F-35 will be costlier. Also, F-35 comes with its own additional overheads, constraints etc.

Considering all that, Su-57 will be much cheaper when jointly developed in India, just like BrahMos. And Russia would be willing to give 100% TOT and complete export and IP control, given its economic status.

Then why did India leave the Su 57 project if it was so good , as you make out to be.

 

[Ashok Kandimalla]

When did AMCA become 6th gen from 5.5th gen? Looks like the article has been edited and corrected from 6th to 5th after my comment. Given the importance of stealth fighters, 1000 cr for a prototype is reasonable. If the IAF orders additional AMCA apart from 126, say 200, then economies of scale will bring down the cost. As I have always said, if the Navy had shown interest in an AMCA naval variant, then the cost would have been shared, and the per-unit cost would have come down too. The Navy has shown interest in NLCA up to 12 units, but hasn't for the AMCA naval version. TEDBF project cost = 13000 cr, for AMCA = 15000 cr. Total 13000 cr + 15000 cr = 28000 cr.

What you say makes perfect sense. I feel Navy should ditch TEDBF and go straight for the Naval AMCA. I see no sense in the 4th gen TEDBF that is slated for 2038 service entry.