India's Self-Reliant Pursuit of the AMCA, Challenges and Progress After FGFA Exit

India's pursuit of a domestically produced fifth-generation fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is a tale of ambition, setbacks, and renewed determination.

Initially envisioned as a collaborative project with Russia, its evolution underscores the nation's growing emphasis on self-reliance in defense technology.

The Seeds of Collaboration​

The AMCA program traces its roots back to 2008, when the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) received initial backing for the project. However, India sought to accelerate development through international partnership.

In 2007, India joined forces with Russia under the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, aiming to co-develop a stealth fighter derived from the Su-57 platform.

Diverging Paths​

The FGFA collaboration faced obstacles as the Indian Air Force (IAF) grew concerned about the Su-57's limitations. Specifically, doubts emerged regarding the platform's engine performance and its ability to meet India's stealth requirements.

Moreover, the rising prominence of the "Make in India" initiative in 2014 highlighted a fundamental clash between collaborative reliance and the push for self-sufficiency. These factors culminated in India's official withdrawal from the FGFA program in 2018.

Navigating a Solo Path​

Exiting the FGFA meant India now shouldered the AMCA's development independently.

While this granted full control over the aircraft's design, it presented the ADA with the formidable task of developing crucial technologies without collaborative support.

This strategic shift inevitably caused delays, but resolute progress followed.

The AMCA's Preliminary Design Review (PDR), completed in December 2021, signified a major achievement. February 2023 saw another landmark moment with the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for all AMCA systems. In March 2024, a green light for prototype development further underscored the project's forward momentum.

Challenges and Resolve​

Designing and manufacturing a fifth-generation fighter jet is a monumental undertaking, even for well-established aerospace powers. India's path is not without its hurdles; critical areas such as engine development and refining true stealth characteristics remain complex challenges.

The AMCA project, however, stands as a symbol of India's unwavering drive towards indigenous defense manufacturing. If successful, the AMCA will not only enhance the nation's air power but will also validate India's growing position as a major player in the development of advanced military technology.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I think bad experience with FGFA program may be the reason why India is hesitant to join Tempest program or other joint 6th gen fighter development program. India wants to have full control over the project. and IAF is a picky customer, it wants products that are well suited to india specific conditions. Also, these joint development projects like tempest dont have good record. Korean semi 5th gen program had indonesia as partener, and there were lots of issues there. F35 is the only success I can think of and it had its own cost overruns and delays.

 

[Anant]

I think bad experience with FGFA program may be the reason why India is hesitant to join Tempest program or other joint 6th gen fighter development program. India wants to have full control over the project. and IAF is a picky customer, it wants products that are well suited to india specific conditions. Also, these joint development projects like tempest dont have good record. Korean semi 5th gen program had indonesia as partener, and there were lots of issues there. F35 is the only success I can think of and it had its own cost overruns and delays.

Not quite. Many multi-national developmental projects have been successful, albeit back in the 20th century. Three examples are the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar, the Anglo-Italo-German Pana via Tornado, and the Anglo-Italo-German-Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon. The GCAP project seems to be proceeding well, and the FCAS project is also proceeding, albeit at a slower pace.

Multi-national projects are hard to pull off, and of course you need to compromise, but they a failure there is an exception rather than the norm.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Only those who having huge money will go alone. More money needed
for creating Manufacturing infra etc. No body ready to invest. All govt fund. So risk only for people. Now only govt rduces gas, oil prices to get middle class vote. But it is too late. Careful funding important.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

The core component of jet is engine. That with stealth capabilities possible by Ada? Then how heat signature will be reduced? Us. More advanced in engine tech. Just fund getting not enough. Build stealthy engine. Any details in critical review about engine. No. Only partial success possible.

 

[beencensured]

The core component of jet is engine. That with stealth capabilities possible by Ada? Then how heat signature will be reduced? Us. More advanced in engine tech. Just fund getting not enough. Build stealthy engine. Any details in critical review about engine. No. Only partial success possible.

First make f-22 with stealth engine.

 

[desigandu]

Russia has been a friend for decades and India must not turn its back on Russia...Russia will continue as a military supplier but mostly for spares, upgrades, MRO etc...India will also continue to rely on Russia for energy, Artic access, nuclear energy, space tech and geopolitical support...Nevertheless, we all know that most Russian technology (especially sensors, avionics, stealth etc...) are behind what the US typically fields (F-22s, F-35s, AH-64s, MQ-9s), and in the past we did not have much of a choice, but now mostly we have access (France, US etc...) and our military-industrial-R&D complex has been a focus with atmanirbharta (AMCA, Project-Alpha etc...), therefore we must invest on our own homegrown capabilities (while only acquiring cutting edge that we really need now/can't build domestically) to become a military superpower.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Amca no need joint development. Then why crying for joint development of engine with Safran. Built it own.

 

[beencensured]

I think bad experience with FGFA program may be the reason why India is hesitant to join Tempest program or other joint 6th gen fighter development program. India wants to have full control over the project. and IAF is a picky customer, it wants products that are well suited to india specific conditions. Also, these joint development projects like tempest dont have good record. Korean semi 5th gen program had indonesia as partener, and there were lots of issues there. F35 is the only success I can think of and it had its own cost overruns and delays.

F-35 has 58% availability time and high cost of maintenance which are it's flaws.

 

[desigandu]

Not quite. Many multi-national developmental projects have been successful, albeit back in the 20th century. Three examples are the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar, the Anglo-Italo-German Pana via Tornado, and the Anglo-Italo-German-Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon. The GCAP project seems to be proceeding well, and the FCAS project is also proceeding, albeit at a slower pace.

Multi-national projects are hard to pull off, and of course you need to compromise, but they a failure there is an exception rather than the norm.

Agree...But India must think what after AMCA (at least start thinking and build a future looking team) and start work before 2030...Evaluating GCAP might not be a bad option if India can have equity, workshare, TOT and ability to manufacture domestically...Between Japan and UK there is a lot of capability (India will get a lot of geopolitical benefits), and 6th Gen planes will require lots of capital and R&D, especially around variable cycle engines...Yes, it will increase our dependencies, but given AMCA will operationalize (fully) in 2035-2040, we should not wait till 2035 to start thinking about what next...Currently, only the US and potentially China have the military budgets to go it alone, along with the R&D base, to fund billions into future programs, thus we need to be smart, opportunistic and collaborative, and seriously evaluate GCAP (of course Japan+UK+Italy need to play ball).

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

F-35 has 58% availability time and high cost of maintenance which are it's flaws.

Yeah, but I recently read that they are going to increase it to bring up to F-16 level. They have a lot of experience with maintaining 5th gen aircraft, so I guess that they have figured out all issues now

 

[sanket]

I think bad experience with FGFA program may be the reason why India is hesitant to join Tempest program or other joint 6th gen fighter development program. India wants to have full control over the project. and IAF is a picky customer, it wants products that are well suited to india specific conditions. Also, these joint development projects like tempest dont have good record. Korean semi 5th gen program had indonesia as partener, and there were lots of issues there. F35 is the only success I can think of and it had its own cost overruns and delays.

Even if India jin either of project(FCAS /Tempest) it will have Limitation in Building eco-system some systems & weapons have to b imported AMCA MK2 going to b upgraded 6th Gen Stealth Fighter jet.apart from Engine India have started Most of the system developing . who ever joins with India for developing Aero-Engine will benefit in cost .France may b like to grab this opportunity with India and develop a common platform for FCAS & AMCA . and same power plant may b replace for Indian Rafales too.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Not quite. Many multi-national developmental projects have been successful, albeit back in the 20th century. Three examples are the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar, the Anglo-Italo-German Pana via Tornado, and the Anglo-Italo-German-Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon. The GCAP project seems to be proceeding well, and the FCAS project is also proceeding, albeit at a slower pace.

Multi-national projects are hard to pull off, and of course you need to compromise, but they a failure there is an exception rather than the norm.

I think the main motivation for these is reduced costs. But you sacrifice control over the project. There are also security concerns regardimg sensitive info. I think france has participate in many joint projects for all 3 services but it has pulled out of most.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

So 6 prototypes 1.5 billion
Manufacturing infra 1.5 billion
Joint engine development 2 billion
Is it india afford this. Think about people first. Then automatically move to joint development.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Media people improve tech knowledge ask more questions.

 

[NSR]

As it stands, Going Solo is the best way forward for Indian fighter developments.

Slowly and surely, Tejas IA, Tejas Mk2, TEDBF, and AMCA will fructify.
Just need time and dogged persistence to ram through to get to the milestones.

 

[beencensured]

Yeah, but I recently read that they are going to increase it to bring up to F-16 level. They have a lot of experience with maintaining 5th gen aircraft, so I guess that they have figured out all issues now

Tell me that after it achieves FOC.

 

[Pink Panther]

Not quite. Many multi-national developmental projects have been successful, albeit back in the 20th century. Three examples are the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar, the Anglo-Italo-German Pana via Tornado, and the Anglo-Italo-German-Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon. The GCAP project seems to be proceeding well, and the FCAS project is also proceeding, albeit at a slower pace.

Multi-national projects are hard to pull off, and of course you need to compromise, but they a failure there is an exception rather than the norm.

To addnto that
Historcally the member nations of such multi-nation alliances have been so called "White" countries of Europe.

Nowhere an example of multiple nations of mixed ethnicity participating in large projects have been successful.

 

[Pink Panther]

Agree...But India must think what after AMCA (at least start thinking and build a future looking team) and start work before 2030...Evaluating GCAP might not be a bad option if India can have equity, workshare, TOT and ability to manufacture domestically...Between Japan and UK there is a lot of capability (India will get a lot of geopolitical benefits), and 6th Gen planes will require lots of capital and R&D, especially around variable cycle engines...Yes, it will increase our dependencies, but given AMCA will operationalize (fully) in 2035-2040, we should not wait till 2035 to start thinking about what next...Currently, only the US and potentially China have the military budgets to go it alone, along with the R&D base, to fund billions into future programs, thus we need to be smart, opportunistic and collaborative, and seriously evaluate GCAP (of course Japan+UK+Italy need to play ball).

we need to think about Tejas MK1A first. HAL hasn’t started producing them yet, then MK2, then TEDBF and finally AMCA which is a far fetched dream.

 

[Pink Panther]

First make f-22 with stealth engine.

that is called NGAD.