Former Indian Army Chief, General MM Naravane (Retd), has offered a critical perspective on the progress of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
In a recent commentary, Gen. Naravane highlighted the project's protracted design phase and suggested that the fighter jet may not achieve full operational status until 2035-2040, a decade or more from now.
He drew a parallel with the F-35 program, which required 16 years from initial concept to operational deployment, emphasizing the complex and lengthy nature of developing advanced combat aircraft.
Gen. Naravane's assessment stems from India's past experiences with indigenous fighter development, particularly involving the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). While the AMCA is intended to be a cutting-edge fifth-generation stealth fighter, it currently remains in the preliminary design stage.
The substantial time investment required for prototype development, flight testing, operational clearance, and establishing a stable production line raises concerns about the feasibility of previously projected timelines. This process involves complex engineering challenges, rigorous testing protocols, and the integration of advanced technologies, all of which contribute to the extended development timeline.
A key point of concern raised by Gen. Naravane is HAL's perceived reluctance to fully embrace private sector participation in the AMCA program. While ADA has expressed a desire to involve private industry partners to accelerate development and enhance efficiency, HAL's traditionally dominant role in military aircraft production in India has, according to Gen. Naravane, created potential bottlenecks.
He suggests that greater private sector involvement is crucial for the timely execution of such a complex defence project, arguing that their expertise, agility, and innovative approaches could significantly benefit the program. This echoes broader discussions about the need for increased private sector participation in Indian defence manufacturing to boost self-reliance and competitiveness.
Furthermore, Gen. Naravane cautioned against premature comparisons of the AMCA with established fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 or the Su-57. While the AMCA is envisioned as India's answer to these advanced platforms, it currently exists as a design concept, not a tested and proven aircraft.
The F-35, for instance, is already deployed with numerous air forces globally, and the Su-57, despite its own developmental hurdles, is a fielded platform. The AMCA, having yet to produce a flying prototype, makes such comparisons, in Gen. Naravane's view, unrealistic at this juncture. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the AMCA's own development trajectory and milestones.
For the AMCA to progress within a reasonable timeframe, Gen. Naravane suggests the need for streamlined decision-making processes, consistent and robust funding, and continued technological advancements.
He reiterated that integrating the private sector could be instrumental in overcoming traditional inefficiencies, but this would likely require a shift in HAL's established practices.
Gen. Naravane's observations serve as a reminder that while India's ambition to develop a fifth-generation fighter is laudable, it must be supported by pragmatic execution strategies, adaptive institutional reforms, and a willingness to embrace collaborative approaches. His commentary highlights the complexities inherent in developing advanced military technology and the importance of realistic assessments and strategic planning.
