The Indian government has officially approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, marking a transformative step in bolstering the nation’s indigenous defence capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the project’s launch, which will be spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Ministry of Defence, in a collaborative effort with private industry stakeholders.
The AMCA is designed as a fifth-generation stealth multirole combat aircraft intended for use by both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy. With a single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather design, the aircraft aims to enhance India’s aerial combat abilities by incorporating cutting-edge technology. The project, which began as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) initiative, has now progressed to the prototype development phase after successfully completing the feasibility, preliminary, and detailed design stages.
An official statement from the Defence Ministry emphasized the importance of the approval, stating that the AMCA programme will leverage domestic expertise and manufacturing capabilities to develop a prototype that will lay the groundwork for India’s aerospace self-reliance goals. This milestone aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of self-sufficiency, known as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, which was introduced in 2020.
The green light follows a significant ₹15,000 crore allocation approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in 2024 for the aircraft’s development. Furthermore, the Defence Ministry established a panel in early 2025, aimed at increasing private sector participation and creating a more inclusive production framework. A high-level committee is also in place to formulate a strategic business model to accelerate the programme’s advancement.
Internationally, the AMCA project has garnered interest, with India engaging in collaborative discussions with France and Rolls-Royce Holdings. In July 2023, a joint agreement was reached between India and France to co-develop a combat aircraft engine for the AMCA Mark-2 variant, under the framework of the Horizon 2047 strategic partnership. Recent dialogues in 2025 have further solidified this partnership, building on prior initiatives related to the indigenous Kaveri engine programme.
The development of the AMCA is considered vital for minimizing India’s reliance on foreign defence imports, aligning with the core objectives of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Since the programme was initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts have been focused on enhancing domestic defence manufacturing capabilities, including the introduction of import bans on 101 military items announced by Rajnath Singh in August 2020.
The recent unveiling of the AMCA model at a major aerospace exhibition has sparked considerable interest, underscoring India’s advancements in advanced fighter jet technology. With the programme now firmly underway through a structured execution plan, experts foresee the AMCA significantly bolstering India’s defence preparedness and establishing the country as a key player in the global aerospace industry. The upcoming years will be pivotal as ADA and its industry partners strive to realize this ambitious vision of a self-reliant India in defence and aerospace.
