New Public-Private-Academic Synergy to Fast-Track AMCA Jet's AI, Autonomous and MUM-T Warfare Capabilities

In a major push for its flagship indigenous defence program, India is fostering a new collaborative model to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous systems for its futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is partnering with private Indian companies and leading academic institutions to embed next-generation combat technology into the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, aligning with the strategic vision of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

This strategic partnership is a cornerstone of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative in the aerospace sector.

In May 2025, the Ministry of Defence approved an execution model for the AMCA that opens the door for competitive participation from both public and private entities.

Recently, the ADA formally invited Expressions of Interest from Indian firms for the development, prototyping, and certification of the aircraft, signalling a move to harness the nation's full technological potential.

According to officials, the integration of AI will be a carefully managed, multi-phase process designed in close consultation with the IAF.

This approach will allow for the progressive enhancement of the aircraft's autonomous capabilities, ensuring the AMCA evolves into a formidable force multiplier that intelligently combines human command with machine efficiency.

The project, with a development budget of approximately ₹15,000 crore for five prototypes, is now moving into a critical execution phase.

A key innovation planned for the AMCA is a sophisticated "Electronic Pilot." This AI-driven system will function as a co-pilot, capable of managing flight control and navigation during high-stakes situations.

This allows the human pilot to concentrate on strategic tasks and weapon systems management, significantly boosting combat effectiveness. The system is being designed to handle complex operations such as autonomous takeoffs and landings, as well as executing long-range missions across India with minimal pilot intervention.

Furthermore, the AMCA will serve as a central node in modern, network-centric warfare through its Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities.

This technology enables the pilot to command and control a swarm of unmanned platforms, such as loyal wingman drones and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs), without direct manual input.

The AMCA will seamlessly relay real-time battlefield data to these unmanned assets, enhancing situational awareness and coordinating a multi-platform attack, a key feature of sixth-generation air combat concepts.

By involving agile private sector firms and research-focused academic bodies, the ADA aims to accelerate development timelines and ensure the AMCA is equipped with world-class technology.

This collaborative approach is vital for developing the complex AI algorithms, sensor fusion technologies, and secure data links essential for the aircraft's performance.

The first prototype of AMCA is anticipated to make its maiden flight by 2029, with the program aiming for full operational induction by 2035, positioning India among a select group of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet capabilities.

 

[sanket]

Good, happy to know the combat range of AMCA, which is 2800 km. This is far better than the Rafale as well as the F-35, which is going to be offered by the US. One of the features being the electronic pilot, instead of a twin seat, it will also not eat space. Secondly, with this in combat missions, the focus will be on striking the mission objectives. In a twin-seater, coordination is important to perform the task, while an electronic pilot will make it easier for the human pilot to perform the mission.

 

[Jon Bolton]

They need to double the budget for the AMCA program.

 

[king dorm]

We still haven't figured out which engine we would use, and here we are talking about who will build the body parts and how we will induct AI. We are thinking about running before we can even walk.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

I salute the government for taking this visionary step. Academia should play an important role in further defence projects. The government looks serious about completing AMCA Mk1 by 2035. Best of luck.

 

[Sandeep]

They need to double the budget for the AMCA program.

The money isn't an issue.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

We still haven't figured out which engine we would use, and here we are talking about who will build the body parts and how we will induct AI. We are thinking about running before we can even walk.

GE F414 engines will be used in AMCA Mk1. Mk2 is slated for 2040 and will have a new indigenous engine, but for that, the Indian Government still has time to decide. If the Government cannot produce F414 under the Make in Bharat scheme, off-the-shelf purchase should be done.

 

[Sandeep]

On a stealth jet it is absolutely essential to install AI on the jet as you can’t get the best performance without it. AI will reduce the pilot workload, reduce pilot stress, increase pilot and jet safety, monitor the jets health and system for faults, enhance the performance of the jet and improve the jets combat capability to the best level that’s possible.

It will take time to create the jets software on the computer so it’s very good news that they started this very important task many years earlier. Now they just need to manufacture the jet’s prototype, install the software on it and make minor changes to improve it even further if it’s possible.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

The money isn't an issue.

Money is always an issue otherwise we should've bought 126 Rafales in 2016 instead of 36.

 

[Sandeep]

Money is always an issue otherwise we should've bought 126 Rafales in 2016 instead of 36.

For indigenous jets and helicopter projects then they are more free in funding. To import or manufacture a foreign aircraft under a licence is very expensive which leads to funding issues for internal projects which can slowly achieve the same or similar technological capabilities. Now with more private sector involvement in developing the technology then it will speed things up.