In a major boost to India’s military modernisation and indigenous defence manufacturing ambitions, the Government of India has issued a ₹15,000 crore tender for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme — the country’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project.
The Ministry of Defence has formally released the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the ambitious programme, triggering competition among leading Indian private-sector defence manufacturers. Key contenders reportedly include Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a consortium led by Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Electronics Limited, and a partnership involving Bharat Forge and BEML Limited.
The AMCA programme is being regarded as one of India’s most technologically advanced and strategically significant defence initiatives. The fighter aircraft is expected to feature advanced stealth technology, supercruise capability, artificial intelligence-enabled warfare systems, next-generation avionics, and sophisticated sensor fusion technology. Its stealth-oriented design aims to minimise radar detection, enabling deep-strike operations in highly contested airspace.
Currently, the Indian Air Force operates a large fleet of foreign-origin fighter aircraft, including Russian Sukhoi and MiG platforms as well as the French-made Rafale jets. Defence experts believe the AMCA programme could significantly reduce India’s long-term dependence on imported combat aircraft while strengthening strategic autonomy in defence preparedness.
The project is being spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier approved the implementation framework for the programme, which encourages collaboration between government agencies and private industry players.
Industry observers note that the limited role of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the core tender process signals a major shift in India’s defence manufacturing strategy, opening greater opportunities for private-sector participation in advanced aerospace production.
According to the current roadmap, five AMCA prototypes are expected to be developed initially, with the maiden flight targeted for 2028. Certification and testing are likely to continue until around 2032, while induction into the Indian Air Force is planned by 2034.
Officials estimate that the Indian Air Force could eventually require more than 120 AMCA fighter jets, potentially creating a multi-billion-dollar defence manufacturing ecosystem over the coming decades.
Experts believe the AMCA initiative will have a far-reaching impact beyond fighter aircraft production. The programme is expected to stimulate growth across India’s broader defence industrial ecosystem, including aircraft engines, electronics, composite materials, software systems, sensors, and advanced weapons integration. It is also expected to generate large-scale employment opportunities and attract significant investment into the aerospace and defence sectors.
If India successfully develops and deploys an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, it would join an elite group of nations — including the United States, Russia, and China — that possess such advanced military aviation capabilities.
The AMCA programme is therefore being viewed not only as a defence project, but also as a symbol of India’s growing technological capability and strategic ambition under the “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives.
