India's AMCA Program Shows Steady Progress with Airframe Construction Underway and Radar System Nearing Readiness

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India's indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is making significant headway, signaling a major step forward for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) modernization efforts.

According to industry sources, the ambitious project, aimed at developing a stealth-capable fighter with advanced avionics, is progressing steadily, with key components nearing completion.

A crucial milestone has been reached with the ongoing construction of substantial portions of the AMCA's airframe. This critical structural element, which will support the aircraft's various systems, is taking shape, bringing the AMCA closer to its physical realization.

The airframe is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with private sector industries, highlighting India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Further bolstering the program's progress is the near completion of the AMCA's radar system. This advanced sensor, along with the aircraft's completed radome and canopy, will be integral to its stealth and combat capabilities.

The radar is likely a domestically developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) system, potentially based on the Uttam AESA radar currently under development for other Indian fighter jets. AESA radars provide superior target detection, tracking, and electronic warfare capabilities compared to older mechanically scanned arrays.

The AMCA is being designed as a twin-engine, single-seat aircraft with a focus on stealth features, including an internal weapons bay and specialized shaping to minimize radar cross-section.

It is intended to fill a critical role within the IAF, complementing existing fighters like the Su-30MKI and the Rafale while providing a technological leap into the realm of fifth-generation combat aircraft. It is being developed to perform a multitude of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and electronic warfare.

As per the latest updates, the rollout of the AMCA is targeted for mid-2026. This significant event will be followed by the anticipated first flight, currently projected for the second quarter of 2028. The development timeline of the AMCA is an extended one and that can be seen with similar 5th generation fighter jet developments all over the world, with the US F-35 program taking close to 15 years from the start to its first flight.

While the AMCA's maiden flight is still a few years away, the steady progress of the program offers a promising outlook for the future of India's air power. With major components nearing completion and a clear timeline established for the rollout and first flight, the AMCA is poised to become a cornerstone of the IAF's modernization drive in the coming decades, significantly enhancing India's defence capabilities and projecting its growing technological prowess on the global stage.

 

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[sanket]

That's great news! Mid-2026 AMCA will be rolled out. The GaN-based AESA radar is nearly ready, that's good. I think the internal weapon bay and EOTS may be in the developing stage.

 

[MahaKaal]

AMCA is still 10-15 years away from induction

 

[ysaxon]

And where are engines of TEBDF and AMCA's. With America, France, UK, Germany or Russia? We took 40 years to finalise LCA's airframe with Kaveri engine down in gutters, how can we expect TEBDF & AMCA to come in production even by 2050, especially when we don't even have a single MAC wind tunnel facility pan India.

 

[zxcvbnm]

GE F110 (TF-X Kaan engine) vs. GE F414 (AMCA engine): What's the difference, and why are the engines different despite both being 5th gen?

 

[kunitesh]

Some alternative to US GE engines must be decided immediately else there is high chance that AMCA program with face similar challenge like Tejas program. Engine is the only component where we lack self sufficiency and external powers will try to derail the critical program utilizing this weakness

 

[tasks discussion]

Project starts when it gets CCS approval which was given in March 2024. So, this timeline is quite optimistic as average timeline of an aircraft project is minimum 10 years globally. Whether its Refale or F-35.

 

[Mandalika Srirama murthy]

To make it fly where are the engines, expect Americans to give them in time, they never allow manufacturing them in India. We have sit our fingers crossed.

 

[SGN]

Unfortunately, This is the only option for India until they can develop their own engine. Delays like the F404 or F414 engine supply are created to twist the Indian government arm. Fortunately, India doesn't have a papoo running the government. The other option, much worse, is opting for russian substandard equipment and relying on the efficiency, sacrifices, Valor and capabilities of the armed forces personnel to implement the equipment in a devastating fashion. The best Indians can do is encourage and demand an accountability from the company.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

GE F110 (TF-X Kaan engine) vs. GE F414 (AMCA engine): What's the difference, and why are the engines different despite both being 5th gen?

No 5th-generation fighter uses F414; it's just a stopgap solution for AMCA until a new engine is made. F-35 uses the F135 engine, and F-22 uses the F119 engine.

 

[Sandeep]

It would be brilliant if that occurs as we urgently need these jets. We need to quickly manufacture the parts and equipment and ensure that we have our engines ready.

 

[MSBRaj]

What is the thrust of kaveri engine. It can be enhanced to optimum in the double engine

 

[Avada kedavra]

Who is the private partner here? If there is none then this will also turn out like tejas disaster. Forget 2028. It will be 2038.

 

[swatkats_razor]

Who is the private partner here? If there is none then this will also turn out like tejas disaster. Forget 2028. It will be 2038.

There is probably none.

Some time back, there was an article that three private players had been roped in, and their names were supposed to have been declared by November/December, but we are already about to end the year, and there has been radio silence over the matter, so not much hope exists that any private player will participate in any significant capacity.

The reason for the private sector's lack of interest in the AMCA project has been suggested to be rooted in the government's insistence on retaining HAL as the lead integrator. Private sector players want unfettered ownership of the production line.

 

[Selven]

Unfortunately, This is the only option for India until they can develop their own engine. Delays like the F404 or F414 engine supply are created to twist the Indian government arm. Fortunately, India doesn't have a papoo running the government. The other option, much worse, is opting for russian substandard equipment and relying on the efficiency, sacrifices, Valor and capabilities of the armed forces personnel to implement the equipment in a devastating fashion. The best Indians can do is encourage and demand an accountability from the company.

There is no grand plan to deny India the F404 or F414 engines. It is definitely a supply chain issue. It's everywhere. Commercial airliner engines...delays. Military engines worldwide...the same.

As far as Kaveri or another domestic engine designed and made in India...that is absolutely the key! Has to be done.