India’s push to build its first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft has moved into a crucial phase, with the Defence Ministry issuing a Request for Proposal for prototype development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme.
The AMCA project, regarded as India’s flagship indigenous stealth combat aircraft initiative, is expected to become the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s future air combat capability as the country looks to reduce dependence on foreign fighter platforms.
Three shortlisted bidders are now in contention for the high-profile project. These include Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Toubro in partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Forge with BEML.
The move signals a deeper push towards private sector participation in strategic defence manufacturing and advanced aerospace programmes.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, which has traditionally led major military aircraft projects in India, is not part of the current bidding process after being dropped earlier.
The AMCA is being designed as a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft with advanced battlefield capabilities aimed at matching emerging global air power standards.
Officials involved with the programme say the aircraft will feature stealth technology, internal weapons bays, supercruise capability and next-generation avionics designed for network-centric warfare.
The jet is also expected to strengthen India’s long-term indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem under the broader self-reliance push in the military sector.
Defence officials indicate the AMCA is likely to become operational around 2035 due to the complexity of development, integration and testing associated with fifth-generation combat aircraft.
The programme is expected to involve extensive prototype trials, stealth validation, engine integration and weapons testing before full-scale induction into the Indian Air Force.
Once completed, the AMCA is expected to place India among a small group of countries capable of developing advanced stealth fighter aircraft domestically.
Source: India Today
