High-Level Panel Explores Early Induction of AMCA Fighter, First Batch of 40 Mk1 Expected as Early as 2033, Mk2 Development to Continue in Parallel

A high-level committee is examining the possibility of significantly accelerating the induction of India's indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The committee, aiming to bolster India's air combat capabilities, could see the first AMCA Mk1 fighters joining the IAF fleet as early as 2033, two years ahead of the initial 2035 target.

The committee, led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, includes key figures such as IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar, Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar, and senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

Their report, expected next month, is anticipated to outline a roadmap for faster AMCA deployment. This initiative reflects India's commitment to modernizing its air force in response to evolving regional security challenges.

A phased approach is being considered, with two AMCA variants: the Mk1 and the more advanced Mk2. The AMCA Mk1 will be powered by the readily available General Electric F414 engine, the same engine that will power the Tejas Mk2. This decision allows for faster production and deployment, as the F414 is a proven platform. The AMCA Mk2, planned for later induction, will feature a new, more powerful 110kN thrust-class engine, currently under development.

The committee is reportedly considering a recommendation for an initial order of 40 AMCA Mk1 aircraft after the successful completion of trials on five prototypes. These prototypes are currently undergoing various stages of design and development. The trials, expected to be completed by the end of 2031 or early 2032, will rigorously test the aircraft's stealth capabilities, avionics, sensors, and weapons systems.

If the proposed timeline is met, the IAF could begin receiving the first batch of 40 AMCA Mk1 fighters by 2033. This early induction would not only enhance the IAF's operational strength but also provide valuable experience for air and ground crews in handling a fifth-generation platform, smoothing the transition to the future Mk2 variant.

Even with the existing F414 engine, the AMCA Mk1 will represent a significant upgrade for the IAF. It will incorporate key fifth-generation features, including stealth technology, an internal weapons bay (allowing the aircraft to carry weapons internally to reduce its radar signature), an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, and sophisticated situational awareness systems. These features surpass the capabilities of the IAF's current fourth and fourth-plus generation fighters, such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Dassault Rafale.

While the accelerated timeline is ambitious, significant challenges remain. Developing a fifth-generation fighter is a complex undertaking, requiring the seamless integration of advanced technologies. Close collaboration between the ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), private sector defence companies, and a reliable supply chain for critical components will be essential.

Rigorous testing of the prototypes is crucial to ensure the AMCA meets the IAF's operational needs. Delays in testing could impact the production timeline. The development of the more powerful 110kN engine for the AMCA Mk2 is also a key factor. International collaborations, potentially with companies like Safran and Rolls-Royce, are being explored, but finalizing technology transfer and intellectual property agreements may take time.

The successful early induction of the AMCA Mk1 would be a major milestone for India's indigenous defence industry. It would demonstrate India's growing self-reliance in defence production, a key objective of the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiative.

The advanced capabilities of the AMCA, particularly its stealth features, would significantly improve the IAF's ability to operate in contested airspace, conduct precision strikes, and ensure air superiority – crucial capabilities in the face of evolving security threats.

 

[beencensured]

How come Turkey and South Korea have flying prototypes and how come the South Korea has its own submarines. Why we can’t do it? Are we that incompetent?

First, India has a nuclear submarine, which is much higher than South Korea, but yes, North Korea is building that too.

Further, in Project 75i, a PSU had offered to make a local submarine, but obviously, they were more interested in the South Korean's proven design than anything local, and after utter shame, it becoming a single vendor deal and catching some naval personal working for Korea, the South Korean tender was cancelled. They then go for a German experimental sub, as India's corruption knows no bound.

So, project 76 has also being developed to make a local submarine, and it would be nice to see the PSU dub compete with the DRDO Sub (said to be more than 90% local) perhaps order twelve each.

Further, South Korea and Turkey's 4.5 jets are a little minus Tejas mk1a, and Tejas has a much higher percent local content. AMCA is the real deal after making a reduced RCS aircraft like Tejas.

 

[Bhishma]

Anemia is a case where less oxygen reaches the brain. Similarly, with more prototypes/LSPs, the testing process and development of the production line are faster. Only fools do not make experiments at the prototype stage. Besides, there were over 16 prototypes/LSPs for Tejas. Every big nation does it, and no one acts as anemically as India. China gets it done in five years. South Korea and Turkey are getting it done. South Korea is ordering hundreds before it gets to stealth.

This process has already been well established in manufacturing. We have a successful auto industry. Should hire them for consulting. Same process if followed in the software industry. i.e. fail fast, rapid prototyping.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

From 2035 to 2033? That is swift production???

OMG, make it 2030, gentlemen.

Ask HAL to work 120 hrs a week at least - 2 to 3 shifts.

 

[Anant]

Anemia is a case where less oxygen reaches the brain. Similarly, with more prototypes/LSPs, the testing process and development of the production line are faster. Only fools do not make experiments at the prototype stage. Besides, there were over 16 prototypes/LSPs for Tejas. Every big nation does it, and no one acts as anemically as India. China gets it done in five years. South Korea and Turkey are getting it done. South Korea is ordering hundreds before it gets to stealth.

Firstly, LSP and prototypes are different, even though they have overlapping purposes. Don't mix the two.

Secondly, having more prototypes does not necessarily mean faster testing. Why? Simply because the testing process of an aircraft includes incremental and exhaustive testing of various subsystems and features, followed by testing of these subsystems in an integrated fashion. Having more aircraft actually doesn't help beyond a point, since a lot of tests cannot be safely conducted without other subsystems already having been tested.

As for the Tejas, well, let me break it down for you. There were two Technology Demonstrator aircraft (which were essentially proof-of-concept aircraft and not exactly prototypes as they used a lot of subsystems that would not be used on the actual aircraft), followed by six prototypes (four fighter variants and two trainer variants), then three Tejas N prototypes, and finally eight LSP aircraft. These LSP aircraft were arguably close to production standards, and were used for user testing. The other 11 aircraft were used exclusively for various forms of testing.

Now, AMCA isn't planned to have a dedicated TD (we'll use an older aircraft for that), isn't planned to have a trainer variant or a naval variant. Therefore, 5-6 prototypes is sufficient. If some of those variants are planned to be developed by some point, only then would more prototypes be useful.

Moreover, a fair number of subsystems for AMCA would already be tested through the Tejas Mk 2, so that is a shorter testing phase there too.

Oh, and here's a suggestion: next time, maybe think on why someone is saying something before you resort to your habit of flinging supposed insults around. Doing so only shows that you do not have a valid point to make.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Good deal. For Engine is yet to sign, foreign partner yet formally haven't selected. How this committee pushes for early induction? It will have similar situation like Tejas MK1A if delay continues for selecting foreign partner & finalising the deal.

Correct. The talk on negotiations for a 110kN engine, in collaboration with a foreign partner, has been going on for long, but to date, nothing positive has emerged; just the same old news. I don't know who is bluffing. It is reported that a successful partner will be announced and a deal signed during Aero India 2025, but it looks like another twist, as usual. This is where project planning and timelines get screwed up, with prolonged delays. By the time we get the end result, new technologies have evolved, and our fighter aircraft project lags behind.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

How come Turkey and South Korea have flying prototypes and how come the South Korea has its own submarines. Why we can’t do it? Are we that incompetent?

No, I believe we have adequately capable engineers to make things happen, but it all boils down to poor management and supervision. The will to stay ahead, or at least stay with the pack, poor foresight, and planning from the top management team are the weaknesses dragging down progress and unable to keep to scheduled timelines.

 

[Pankaj]

AMCA MK1 with GE F414 should be inducted by 2030 as the funds are already allocated, the engine is available, the technology has been finalized, even the metal cutting is started. If we prioritise the project and fast track the process, the first prototype of AMCA MK1 with GE414 will roll out in 2027, following the 3 LSP in 2028. We could get 2-3 years for testing and fine-tuning the jets. If we follow the defence work culture of Turkey, South Korea, and few other growing nations, it is quite possible to induct AMCA MK1 in 5-6 years.