India May Invite Global Partners to Join AMCA Program After Inaugural Flight, Aims to Reduce Costs and Deliver Export-Ready Stealth Jet

India is reportedly planning to open its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program to international collaboration following the jet's first flight. This strategic decision seeks to position the AMCA as an export-ready fifth-generation stealth fighter while also mitigating the substantial financial burden associated with its development and production.

The AMCA, a flagship project for India's indigenous defence industry, is crucial for modernizing the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, sources suggest that India also has ambitions to capture a share of the global defence market with this advanced fighter.

By inviting partner nations to join the program after its inaugural flight, India aims to offer an alternative to existing fifth-generation fighters like the F-35, Su-57, and J-20. This could be particularly attractive to countries that have limited access to such technology due to geopolitical factors or budgetary constraints.

Developing a fifth-generation fighter jet is a complex and costly undertaking. The AMCA program faces significant financial hurdles, particularly in developing a new engine and establishing a private sector-led production line. International collaboration offers a way to manage these costs. By bringing in partner nations early on, India can leverage economies of scale to reduce the per-unit cost of the AMCA, making it a more competitive offering in the global market.

According to sources, several countries are already closely monitoring the AMCA's progress. These nations are eager to acquire fifth-generation fighter technology and represent potential partners and future customers for the AMCA.

The aircraft's first flight is expected to be a pivotal moment, generating increased international interest and potentially attracting further collaborators. This broader coalition would not only share the financial burden but also contribute to the AMCA's development and production, ensuring it remains a cutting-edge fighter jet.

This approach reflects a growing trend in the global defence industry, with collaborative projects like the Eurofighter Typhoon demonstrating the benefits of shared development and production. By opening the AMCA program to international partners, India is aiming to secure its place in the competitive fifth-generation fighter market while bolstering its indigenous defence capabilities.

 

[Benith Israel]

No country except India will touch any DRDO developed aviation equipment with a barge pole

 

[swatkats_razor]

No country except India will touch any DRDO developed aviation equipment with a barge pole

Armenia has been of lately pursuing DRDO developed weapons like hot-cakes.

Morocco has been acquiring Tata WHAp which was developed by DRDO.

DRDO is a research organisation, not a defence contractor. It works on projects which have high chances of failure. And DRDO's record isn't exactly impeccable.

But your complaint is directed more towards corporation such as HAL/BEML et al. because they are contractors and should be held responsible for the products they develop and service.

 

[Gururag Kalanidhi]

Lol. Why would foreign partners want to join a fighter program that is powered by American Engines? The only countries who may want to join (i.e the ones who have a need for a 5th Gen fighter and have the budgets for the same) are all on F35 or Boramae or TFX program. European partners will opt for Tempest. Except Indonesia, none of the South East Asian partners would want to sink cost into a 5th Gen fighter as all of them will opt for coastal defence and naval presence. Even if the India thinks it can offer, it will pretty much go the same way as Tejas.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great strategy by GOI/DRDO. I'm sure many countries would like to have AMCA, a 5.5 gen fighter, in their inventory. I hope the first flight takes place in 2029. Competition is tough though with F35, J35, KaaN, KF21, and a few 6th gen aeroplanes post 2035. Cost could be a defining factor.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

With the number of other programs being developed Boramae, Kaan, Tempest and all of them being developed on schedule, and India’s notorious reputation of never developing anything on time, nobody in their right senses would opt as a partner for AMCA !!

 

[HARSHAL CHAVAN]

With the number of other programs being developed Boramae, Kaan, Tempest and all of them being developed on schedule, and India’s notorious reputation of never developing anything on time, nobody in their right senses would opt as a partner for AMCA !!

It's not about India's behavior to not deliver on time, but the dependency on foreign equipment is causing trouble. India must look for a partner in jet engine development. This alone can resolve the problem. Israel can be a good partner; it comes with money and tech, and also helps to dodge some American pressure.

 

[vinod nair]

Why so much obsession with the tail? Can't we convert it into a flying wing design? With Brahmos we have mastered the technology to change direction by thrust in case of failure with thrust vectoring.

 

[Indrakumar Salam]

Let AMCA take to the sky first. DRDO please don't take the snail's pace. Hope everything will work out fine.

 

[White T POISON]

Who is going to join? Most of the people in NATO would join KF-21 or TF-X. The UAE could be invited; their money and ability to bring high-tech requirements might actually make the AMCA a world-class fighter. Saudis or Indonesia maybe. Egypt maybe. Japan possibly (offering them as a lower-end fighter). Australia too considering it's similarly engined to their Super Hornets. South Africa and Brazil could be offered. They have high-tech munitions and Embraer could be a great partner. Sweden maybe. But all of them are in the F-35 program or something.

 

[Sandeep]

Right now India should just focus on designing, developing and manufacturing the AMCA 100% indigenously for our military. Once we have tested the technology vigorously, its certified and production for our air force has begun in large numbers then we can think about exports.

Over the next decade there will be a huge demand for countries to buy stealth jets and the only providers will be the USA, Russia, China and India.

India holds a major advantage as its technology, equipment, weapons and capabilities will be very good, advanced and priced at an affordable rate. M

The USA will have the more advanced and capable jet but its technology will be expensive and restricted to mainly NATO countries or major ally.

Russia's stealth technology and capabilities will lack the advanced materials and paint that’s needed along with relying more on old technology and engines. Also with sanctions on Russia it will make it hard for anyone to buy their jets or collaborate in a joint venture.

China claims to have developed a proper 5th generation stealth jet but they have failed to develop the required advanced technology and capability to call it a stealth jet. Their technology and equipment does not perform or work to the level that they claim it can. Also with major trade and technology tariff wars and major political, military and economic sanctions and tensions between the west and China it will make it hard for anyone to buy it from China.

 

[मित्र]

Possible names: UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, South Africa.
I can guess only these countries are able to afford 5th gen and out of western circles.

 

[saber13]

Right now India should just focus on designing, developing and manufacturing the AMCA 100% indigenously for our military. Once we have tested the technology vigorously, its certified and production for our air force has begun in large numbers then we can think about exports.

Over the next decade there will be a huge demand for countries to buy stealth jets and the only providers will be the USA, Russia, China and India.

India holds a major advantage as its technology, equipment, weapons and capabilities will be very good, advanced and priced at an affordable rate. M

The USA will have the more advanced and capable jet but its technology will be expensive and restricted to mainly NATO countries or major ally.

Russia's stealth technology and capabilities will lack the advanced materials and paint that’s needed along with relying more on old technology and engines. Also with sanctions on Russia it will make it hard for anyone to buy their jets or collaborate in a joint venture.

China claims to have developed a proper 5th generation stealth jet but they have failed to develop the required advanced technology and capability to call it a stealth jet. Their technology and equipment does not perform or work to the level that they claim it can. Also with major trade and technology tariff wars and major political, military and economic sanctions and tensions between the west and China it will make it hard for anyone to buy it from China.

If you think Chinese technology is worse then India then you should touch some grasp there is difference between sketch and actual in service flying aircrafts most of India's so called technology is under development it can't even still produce Uttam aesa rader which is just a elm 2052 and kalveri failed very hard now being used to power some ucav instead of Tejas now and the engines India is going to use will be American and I hardly see safran 110kn engine being produced before 2040 and amca itself before 2040 and about Russia yes sanction will hinder them but it's just you think India will better than Russia and china which is hard to digest su57 may not be as stealthy as f22 f35 it's a damn good fighter and it's avionics are probably 2nd to only USA India r8 now should get some 5th gen instead of relying made in India because by the time amca arrives Pakistan will be operating j35 for a decade heck even Bangladesh may Operate tf x and Sri Lanka will operate 4++ gen fighter aircraft and china is already on the 6th gen train

 

[Devasahayam]

Armenia has been of lately pursuing DRDO developed weapons like hot-cakes.

Morocco has been acquiring Tata WHAp which was developed by DRDO.

DRDO is a research organisation, not a defence contractor. It works on projects which have high chances of failure. And DRDO's record isn't exactly impeccable.

But your complaint is directed more towards corporation such as HAL/BEML et al. because they are contractors and should be held responsible for the products they develop and service.

You appear to have missed keywords "aviation equipment", which none of what Armenia is interested in qualify as (does DRDO actually produce any?).

 

[nivas9531]

This may ,might take another hundred years to take a decision by our governments it is not just gonna happen
Only government publication like this publisize the news but nothing can be happening. Because hearing these issues since 10 years

 

[Vikas Yadav 007]

To accelerate indigenous Fifth generation jet fighter progress, govt should consider partnerships between private players ,public companies, and any of industrial powerhouses like Tata, Adani, Mahindra, L&T .

A 50:50 partnership model with technology transfer from global leaders like US -Boeing /europen agency BAE /Dassault, Russian (United Aircraft Corporation) , also 130KN engine partnerships , Rolls-Royce,GE , saffron could be a viable approach."

"A collaborative conglomerate model, comprising:

1. IAF & Navy (end-user expertise)
2. HAL /BEL(manufacturing capabilities)
3. ADA (design and development expertise)
4. ISRO expert & scientists (aero engine development expertise)
5. DRDO (research and development capabilities)
6. IITs /IISc (metallurgical and materials science expertise)
7. Defence Ministry (policy and funding support)
8.TATA & L&T*: As a leading Indian engineering and manufacturing company, L&T can contribute to the AMCA program by providing:
- Manufacturing expertise and capabilities for complex aerospace components.
- Systems integration and testing support.
- Supply chain management and logistics support.
should work together to prioritize the development of the AMCA prototype, leveraging their collective strengths to achieve this critical national objective."
In terms of specific collaborations, some possible scenarios could include:

- L&T and Tata partnering with HAL to manufacture AMCA components and sub-assemblies.

9 Boeing or Airbus partnering with ADA and DRDO to provide technical expertise and consulting services for AMCA development.

10-Indian companies like L&T and Tata partnering with Boeing or Airbus to develop and manufacture specific AMCA components, like engines or avionics systems.
11-Access to Advanced Jet Engine Technologies*: Partnering with GE, Rolls-Royce, or Safran can provide India with access to advanced engine technologies.

These collaborations can help accelerate the development of the AMCA, while also building India's domestic aerospace capabilities.

To ensure timely delivery of the AMCA project, an audit firm should be appointed under the PMO's office to regulate policy, governance, and project management, and provide risk management and compliance monitoring expertise.

 

[swatkats_razor]

You appear to have missed keywords "aviation equipment", which none of what Armenia is interested in qualify as (does DRDO actually produce any?).

My point being, the criticism directed towards DRDO in specific is inaccurate. DRDO doesn't cater to its market directly whether it is Indian Military or export. It is primarily a research institute so criticism needs to be directed accordingly.
Btw, HAL does produce parts for Aviation majors such as Boeing. Nothing to talk home about, but just stating a fact.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

It's not about India's behavior to not deliver on time, but the dependency on foreign equipment is causing trouble. India must look for a partner in jet engine development. This alone can resolve the problem. Israel can be a good partner; it comes with money and tech, and also helps to dodge some American pressure.

Sir- At the end of the day, no one bothers for the reasons or excuses for the delays. NO one stopped India for choosing the right partner for engine development. it was stupid on India's part to rely on one partner for 400+ engines needed. No sane country puts all eggs in one basket when the risk is so high !! They should have gone with at least two partners for engine development for risk mitigation !!