India is making significant strides in its pursuit of developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter. With an impressive 28 private sector companies expressing interest in collaborating with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the program is gaining substantial momentum.
A HAL official confirmed that several prominent players, including Tata Advanced Systems, Adani Defence, Larsen & Toubro, and the Mahindra Group, have formally applied to join the ambitious project. In response to this interest, HAL has set up a high-level committee tasked with evaluating these applicants to select one or two strategic partners. This consortium will be instrumental in responding to the Aeronautical Development Agency’s (ADA) Expressions of Interest (EOI), which are due by September 30.
The inclusion of the private sector is deemed essential for the success of the AMCA initiative. Although HAL has decades of experience in aircraft manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence mandates private sector involvement to share risk, foster a strong industrial ecosystem, and expedite development timelines. HAL’s Chairman, DK Sunil, indicated that certain EOI criteria present challenges; in particular, firms with order books exceeding three times their turnover have been disqualified, while HAL itself operates at an 8:1 ratio. Nonetheless, HAL is committed to establishing private partnerships to ensure the AMCA program remains on track.
The selected consortium will undertake the critical tasks of prototype development, flight testing, and the establishment of production lines, all within an ambitious eight-year timeframe. This initiative represents a shift away from HAL’s historical monopoly, placing private companies at the heart of one of India’s most strategic defense projects.
The AMCA is engineered for dual functionality, operating in both stealth mode—capable of carrying up to 1.5 tons of internally stowed weapons to minimize radar signatures—and non-stealth mode, which allows for a payload of up to 5 tons on external hard points for more conventional operations. This design flexibility is aimed at ensuring readiness for various mission profiles, ranging from air dominance to deep strikes and precision missions.
Regarding engine development, the project will feature two AMCA variants. The MK-1 model will initially utilize the GE F414-INS6 turbofan engines, while the MK-2 will incorporate a new 120-kilonewton indigenous engine, co-developed with France’s Safran and India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). This engine initiative is valued at over ₹610 billion and is expected to yield nine prototypes over 12 years, marking a significant advancement in India’s defense propulsion technology following prior efforts like the Kaveri engine.
The prototype of the AMCA is scheduled to roll out by 2029, and flight testing will follow for approximately five years. The complete development process is projected to conclude by 2034, with the intention to induct the aircraft into the Indian Air Force by 2035. Plans include the formation of six squadrons, totaling around 120 aircraft, with the first two squadrons equipped with MK-1 variants and the remaining four transitioning to the more advanced MK-2.
The development of the AMCA is particularly significant in light of regional military dynamics. China has already deployed the J-20 stealth fighter and is making significant advancements with its carrier-based J-35 projects, while reports indicate that Pakistan is eyeing the Chinese J-35 as well. The Cabinet Committee on Security’s approval in 2023 for the AMCA program, with a projected cost of ₹150 billion, marks a pivotal move toward enhancing India’s strategic autonomy.
Beyond its combat capabilities, the AMCA symbolizes India’s broader ambition for technological self-reliance, integrating HAL’s manufacturing expertise with the design capabilities of ADA, research from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and resources from the private sector. Analysts suggest that the program could profoundly alter India’s aerospace landscape, fostering a robust ecosystem in avionics, propulsion, materials, and stealth technology while substantially reducing reliance on foreign imports.
