India's 5th-gen stealth jet: Centre paves way for private cos to enter the race to build AMCA

Time of India

28-05-2025

Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
The Ministry of Defence has approved a new execution model for India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), opening the door for private sector participation alongside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).This marks a significant development in the AMCA programme, which will now be open to competitive bidding. HAL—long the primary player in India's fighter manufacturing—can now bid either independently or in partnership with private firms.Private companies may also bid independently, as a consortium, or in collaboration with foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), provided they comply with Indian regulations.The decision, cleared by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is intended to speed up prototype development and eventual production of the AMCA by drawing on the broader capabilities of India's aerospace industry.The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under DRDO, will soon issue an expression of interest (EoI) for industry participation in the project's development phase.HAL is already engaged in manufacturing 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets and is also expected to handle production of 108 Tejas Mk-2 fighters, along with other aircraft and helicopter projects.An official told TOI that the AMCA bidding process 'will not be handed over on a nomination basis."The Indian Air Force is currently operating just 30 fighter squadrons against an authorised strength of 42.5. At least eight more squadrons are expected to retire over the next decade.Meanwhile, regional adversary Pakistan is expected to procure over 40 J-35A fifth-generation fighters from China, which is also developing sixth-generation prototypes like the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50.The Cabinet Committee on Security had approved the AMCA's full-scale engineering development in March 2023 at a cost of over ₹15,000 crore. This includes five prototypes, one structural test specimen, and extensive flight testing.The IAF plans to induct seven squadrons (126 jets) of the twin-engine stealth aircraft, which will feature an internal weapons bay, serpentine air-intakes, advanced sensor fusion, AI-enabled systems, and netcentric warfare capabilities.The first two squadrons will use GE-F414 engines (98kN thrust class), while the remaining will shift to more powerful 110kN engines.HAL and General Electric are currently in advanced discussions for co-producing the GE-F414 engines in India with 80% technology transfer, valued at around $1.5 billion.