India Kickstarts Development of Indigenous 5th-Generation AMCA Fighter Jet

New Delhi | IP News

India has formally launched the development of its first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). On June 18, 2025, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to select Indian defence and aerospace firms for building five prototypes. Approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on May 27, the initiative marks a pivotal shift in India’s aerospace ambitions, targeting full-scale induction by 2035.

Project Highlights

• Design: Twin-engine, 25-tonne stealth fighter with supercruise, internal weapons bays, AI-powered avionics, and electronic warfare capabilities.

• Phases:

  • AMCA Mk-1: Powered by General Electric F-414 engines (2 squadrons).

  • AMCA Mk-2: Will integrate an indigenous engine developed in partnership with a foreign OEM (5 squadrons).

• Timeline: First prototype flight by 2029; 126 aircraft targeted across seven squadrons by 2035.

Industry Participation

The ADA’s EOI invites Indian defence firms, joint ventures, or consortia with aerospace expertise to join the project. Key contenders include:

• Tata Advanced Systems

• Larsen & Toubro

• Adani Defence

• Mahindra Group

• HAL, leading a 24-company consortium

This signals a major shift from HAL’s monopoly, allowing private players to co-develop, build, and support future fleet production.

Strategic Significance

With China’s J-20 and Pakistan possibly acquiring the J-35A, India’s AMCA is seen as a critical response to regional stealth fighter deployment. Amid LAC tensions and border concerns, the AMCA reinforces India’s strategic autonomy and self-reliance in next-gen air power.

Expert View

“This is a defining moment for India’s aerospace ecosystem,”
— Air Marshal Anil Chopra (retd.)

The ADA has stressed the need for partners with design, testing, manufacturing, and lifecycle support capabilities to meet the ambitious eight-year development goal.

Outlook

• EOI Deadline: August 16, 2025

• Partner Selection: Expected early 2026

• Prototype Development & Testing: 2026–2029

• Series Production Launch: By 2035

If executed successfully, AMCA will reduce India’s defence import dependency, enhance deterrence, and boost domestic manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.