On February 10th, for the first time, Tarmac at Ellahanka Air Force Station near Bengaluru, witnessed a breathtaking showdown. Standing just a few meters away. But in this global air force high-stakes display, the eyes remained stubbornly attached to their new competitors. Advanced Medium Fighter (AMCA) is India’s own fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Stealing the spotlight by displaying full-scale models on the first day of the Aero India 2025 show, AMCA influenced both waves of adoration and speculation. Russia is actively promoting India for joint production of SU-57s, but the US has not left a stone inverted to courtship with its own offer. However, Indian aerospace programmers are betting firmly on the AMCA.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, who launched the 15th edition of Aero India, has made clear about the government’s stance. “We have built a solid resolve to build a fifth-generation fighter jet in the country,” he said.
Even the Indian Air Force (IAF) modernization roadmap has guided around seven squadrons of AMCA since 2035, placing Indigenous jets as a key component of future Air Force strategies.
The AMCA’s full-scale engineering development phase began last April after it was approved by the Central Government’s Security Cabinet Committee (CCS). For rigorous flight testing, a 10-year development roadmap has been laid out for the deployment of five prototypes. If everything goes as planned, the first prototype will be ready by 2028, followed by a maiden flight soon after. While approving the project, CCS made clear to the AMCA designers that costs and delays must be addressed directly on behalf of the Ministry of Defense.
Despite its ambitious vision, AMCA’s production plans reached hiccups. The government has not yet confirmed the aircraft’s manufacturing partner. The Aviation Development Authority (ADA) under the Ministry of Defense advocates ropes in the private sector, but the state-run Hindustan Airlines Limited (HAL) does not want to abandon control over the project.
When necessary, multiple discussions took place within the Ministry of Defense, despite the Bengaluru-covered HAL calling for another manufacturing assembly line dedicated to AMCA. The ministry has not yet made the final call, as some military planners supporting the HAL are several other military planners who support the role of civilian players.
The plan is to develop five AMCA prototypes. Each AMCA prototype costs around Rs 1,000. Hal claims that extensive expertise makes it an ideal production partner than private companies in India. However, such great distribution track records with other planes have led AMCA designers to explore alternatives.
The HAL has already grown thinly by multiple projects, including the Tejas MK-1A Jets, which are in production, as well as additional orders for 97 jets cleared by the Ministry of Defense. HAL is also tasked with developing four prototypes of the LCA MK-2, which are scheduled for its first flight until early 2026.
Initially, the government planned to employ special purpose vehicle routes for the development of the AMCA. It appears that the shift towards the industry partnership model is currently moving. With civil defense giants like L&T and Tata emerging as major aerospace players, Ada said this is a time of fitness to empower India’s private industry rather than continuing to rely solely on HAL. I’m thinking about it.
The AMCA is developed in two variations, with the Mark-2 version featuring a more powerful engine and advanced technology for future combat scenarios. In 2009, the federal government allocated 90 Rs, followed by an additional 447 crores for possible investigations. After years of delay, AMCA received a Go-Aard from Union Cabinet last March.
In addition to waiting for central funding, the US government’s indecision regarding the approved production of jet engines in India has significantly delayed the program. Now, to make up for the lost time, AMCA developers have a major plan to involve private players for jet development, production and lifelong maintenance.
The AMCA makes India the fourth country after the US, Russia and China, with the capabilities of super cruises and stealth aircraft. Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection by radar or air defense systems. Their “First Look, First Kill” concept allows pilots to first spot an enemy plane, launch missiles, and destroy the target without the enemy being able to respond.
The urgency of the AMCA is also linked to the ghosts of China’s air rule. Beijing, praised as “father of modern China” in Mao Zedong’s 131st grade (December 26, 2024), is a mega-san, highlighting its strategic ambitions that could have serious potential impacts on India. An announcement was made.
China’s highly special sixth generation fighter jet was announced, making a major leap in military capabilities. Pakistan is also increasing its air force by quickly tracking the acquisition of 40 J-35 stealth fighter jets from China. Delivery is expected within two years. India’s military observers say these developments could change the dynamics of air domination in the subcontinent.
The AMCA journey has just begun, and its success depends on solving manufacturing impasses. If India can strike the right balance between public and private sector collaborations, the AMCA will redefine the country’s fighter ecosystem and guide an era of true independence in military aviation.
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