Rajnath Singh calls AMCA ‘bold, decisive' move to strengthen India's defence arsenal
India has taken a significant step in strengthening its defence capabilities with the approval of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (
AMCA
) programme execution model. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday that the government, involving industry participation, plans to develop five prototypes of this fifth-generation fighter jet. This initiative marks a major milestone in the 'Make in India' programme, aiming to enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
AMCA: A game-changer for India's defence industry
At the Annual Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (
CII
) in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh called the move 'a very bold and decisive decision,' emphasising how it will strengthen India's defence and elevate its aerospace sector. The
Defence Ministry
confirmed Singh's approval of the AMCA Programme Execution Model on Wednesday, stating it would significantly boost India's indigenous defence capabilities and build a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), part of
DRDO
, will lead the project, executing it through partnerships with both private and public sector companies. For the first time, private industry will have the chance to work alongside public sector units in such a large-scale defence project.
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Rising defence production and exports
Rajnath Singh highlighted the rapid growth of India's defence sector over the last decade. 'Ten to eleven years ago, our defence production was approximately Rs 43,000 crore. Today, it has crossed Rs 1,46,000 crore, with a contribution of over Rs 32,000 crore by the private sector,' he said.
Exports have seen an even more striking rise. 'Our defence exports, which were around Rs 600-700 crore 10 years ago, have surpassed Rs 24,000 crore today. Our weapons, systems, sub-systems, components, and services are reaching around 100 countries.' Singh also pointed to the critical role of over 16,000 MSMEs, which form the backbone of the defence supply chain, creating jobs for hundreds of thousands of people.
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Preparing for new age warfare
Singh stressed that India is not only producing conventional fighter jets and missile systems but also advancing in frontier technologies like
Artificial Intelligence
, Cyber Defence, Unmanned Systems, and Space-Based Security. 'Our progress in these fields is being recognised on the global stage,' he said, adding that India has the potential to become a hub for engineering, high-precision manufacturing, and future technologies.
He underlined the importance of unity between government and industry to realise the vision of a developed India by 2047. 'The strength of a nation is not just its GDP or exports. It depends on the confidence it inspires in its citizens and the world,' Singh said.
Operation Sindoor: Proving value of 'Make in India'
The Defence Minister also referenced Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation eliminated over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba.
'In Operation Sindoor, the people of the whole country have seen, understood and felt the success of the Make in India campaign. Today it has been proved that Make in India is important for both the security and prosperity of India,' Singh declared at the CII event where service chiefs were felicitated.
What makes fifth-generation fighters special?
Fifth-generation fighter jets are cutting-edge aircraft with stealth technology, advanced sensors, and superior manoeuvrability designed to gain the upper hand in combat. They can cruise at supersonic speeds without using afterburners, enhancing their stealth and fuel efficiency.
Currently, only a few countries produce these jets: the US with the F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II; Russia with the Su-57; China with the Chengdu J-20; and soon South Korea and Turkey with their own models.
India's AMCA Project: Specifications and timeline
The AMCA is a twin-engine, 25-tonne fighter with advanced stealth features to evade enemy radar. Dr Krishna Rajendra Neeli, project director at ADA, claims India's fifth-gen fighter will be on par or superior to global counterparts. It is expected to carry four long-range air-to-air missiles and multiple precision-guided weapons, with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg.
A first in India, the jet will feature a Divertless Supersonic Intake. In March last year, the
Cabinet Committee on Security
approved the development of five prototypes at an initial cost of Rs 15,000 crore. The ADA aims to deliver the first prototype by 2031, with series production set to start by 2035.
The Defence Ministry emphasised that both private and public sectors will have equal opportunities to participate. Companies can bid independently, as joint ventures, or in consortia, provided they are Indian and comply with national laws.
This approach is expected to encourage collaboration with firms like
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
,
Tata
, Adani, and Larsen & Toubro, strengthening India's defence industrial base.
Why AMCA matters now
India's Air Force currently operates only 30-32 fighter squadrons, below the sanctioned strength of 42. Several squadrons are also due for retirement in the next decade. This makes rapid development of the AMCA critical to maintain aerial superiority.
Meanwhile, Pakistan is upgrading its arsenal with help from China and Turkey. Beijing itself is testing sixth-generation fighter prototypes, underscoring the urgency for India to keep pace.
China is reportedly testing two sixth-generation jets, including the J-36 and the V-shaped twin-engine J-50. These aircraft feature tailless designs and three engines, suggesting high range and payload capabilities. Experts like Malcolm Davis of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute note the size and power of these planes indicate China's push for air dominance.
Globally, countries like Britain, Japan, Italy, France, Germany, and Spain are collaborating on their own next-generation fighter programmes.
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