No Private Sector Consortium Submitted Bids for Producing AMCA as Expected, Prompting Timeline Extension

The deadline for private companies to express interest in co-developing India's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has been extended by a month, following a lack of response from the industry.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the nodal body for the project, has pushed the final submission date for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme from 31st August 2025 to 30th September 2025.

This extension was announced through a corrigendum after no private sector consortiums submitted a bid for the Expression of Interest (EoI) that was floated on 18th June 2025.

The AMCA programme is a landmark initiative aimed at developing a state-of-the-art combat aircraft domestically, which is critical for the Indian Air Force's modernisation plans and for strengthening the nation's strategic autonomy in defence technology.

The aircraft is envisioned to feature advanced stealth capabilities, supercruise, and next-generation avionics.

The government's plan involves creating a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to oversee the aircraft's design and production. This collaborative model is intended to bring together the expertise of government entities like ADA and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with the manufacturing power and agility of the Indian private sector.

However, the absence of initial bids may indicate caution from private firms regarding the immense financial investment and technological complexities associated with developing a cutting-edge fighter jet from the ground up.

In its effort to encourage participation, ADA has reiterated the submission guidelines. All responses must be delivered in a sealed hard copy to the tender box at the ADA office or sent via registered Speed Post to the Director of Materials Management in Bangalore.

The agency has affirmed that any proposals received after the newly revised deadline of 5:00 PM on 30th September will not be accepted.

The extension is seen as a crucial opportunity for the government and private industry to align on the future of India's indigenous defence aerospace ecosystem.

 

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[sanket]

Oh, and some fanboys say private players are highly capable, but they can't even submit the bids. Chai-samosa addiction all day is a very bad habit. It was a great opportunity for private players, but due to a lack of confidence, another opportunity will be in MRFA. These private players will cry in the future that they won't get a level playing field in the assembly of a fighter jet, while fanboys were dreaming of a future similar to LM, Boeing, etc.

 

[Dredd]

IAF should consult with a private consortium to find out the reservations they are having. Whatever it may be, it could be working with ADA or very limited order numbers or a disadvantageous position compared to HAL, as it already has multiple assembly lines and a skilled employee base.

This project should go to a private entity without any HAL participation, like we had a case with the C-290 jet.

 

[Mc Addy]

As expected!! Means hog wash is the first and only wash available for media bytes ,meaning all is fail , till then go on talking.

 

[LookingBack]

This is what happens if you traditionally ignore someone else's presence.

How much encouragement GOI or IAF showed in the past to the private sector in the last 50 or 30 years? Basically, India started to look marginally at them from 2014 onwards when it became Bharat from India. But we demand instant results. The moment we get a poor outcome, we promptly start blaming private players, questioning their guts. Bravo.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

The private sector has no experience of building any fighter aircraft. How could we expect them to bid for 5th gen fighters? It also speaks volumes of the trust they have on the DRDO.

As far as I know, VEM Technologies Hyderabad, that made the AMCA model to the exact specification of the real one, are in the forefront. They have invested a lot to make jigs and structure to even make the model, so they have an advantage.

 

[Enigma]

Why haven't they? What is the factor holding them?

 

[Kunj]

There's not a single private company present with any sort of expertise in R&D of fighter jets (especially 5th gen). Our private defence companies aren't much matured in this sector. BEL and BDL are not into manufacturing of jets and are far from R&D. We moved to private companies much, much later. The best is that HAL and ADA should hire some responsible, experienced, trusted engineers (who don't leak data) and pay them well. The Government of India should have a strict eye on this.

 

[Ganesh]

The AMCA project definitely won't be complete until 2040. We still haven't built any prototypes. Once we start building prototypes, so many problems will arise, considering HAL's track record. It's no surprise that this project could be pushed to 2040-45.

 

[Snowstrike]

The AMCA project definitely won't be complete until 2040. We still haven't built any prototypes. Once we start building prototypes, so many problems will arise, considering HAL's track record. It's no surprise that this project could be pushed to 2040-45.

Your not wrong! There is a high chance that the AMCA mk2 will be delayed- almost EVERY 5th gen program has been delayed in the world, including the US' F-35, despite it having immense experience with the F-22, F-117, B-2, etc. And dont forget, the MoD is mouthwatering at Safran's engine proposal because it is supposed to be ready by 2035, instead of RR's 2038. No point in running after a 3 year shorter timeline when the engine is gonna be obsolete before it even starts! (its a 4th gen core, modified with 5th gen enhancements with no VCE, compared to RR's clean-sheet 6th gen with VCE which is scalable and modular). I wonder what they're gonna do with the engines in 2035, if the AMCA is indeed delayed till 2038 or 2040- gonna be kicking themselves for passing up a 6th gen in favor of a 4th gen.

 

[bonito]

MoD should talk to private players to allay their apprehensions and fear. Apparently, something is not correct with ADA. If it's individual bidding, maybe there are concerns, but why wouldn't a consortium bid?

Also, this is a strategic project. Resorting to age-old methods of bidding is sheer nonsense when there is hardly any competition for the project. If there is competition, the MoD should involve everyone in partnership and go for supplier training, collaboration, and supplier's risk mitigation. There is a whole lot of Supplier Relationship Mgmt these PSUs should learn to implement to make a successful strategic project.

 

[skyfall21]

This is what happens if you traditionally ignore someone else's presence.

How much encouragement GOI or IAF showed in the past to the private sector in the last 50 or 30 years? Basically, India started to look marginally at them from 2014 onwards when it became Bharat from India. But we demand instant results. The moment we get a poor outcome, we promptly start blaming private players, questioning their guts. Bravo.

Bharat from India ? When ? It's still INDIA.ok!