India makes way for own fifth-generation fighter aircraft
(MENAFN)
India has approved a major step in the development of its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh authorizing a $175 million execution model. The project will be led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with industry partners, according to a government announcement on Tuesday.
India has approved a major step in the development of its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh authorizing a $175 million execution model. The project will be led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with industry partners, according to a government announcement on Tuesday.
The AMCA is designed as a single-seat, twin-engine, multi-role stealth aircraft capable of operating in all weather conditions. It will support a variety of missions including air superiority, ground attacks, suppression of enemy defenses, and electronic warfare. The aircraft is intended for both the Indian Air Force and Navy.
For the first time, India is allowing both public and private sector players to compete equally for participation in a defense R&D project of this scale. Bids may be submitted by individual companies, joint ventures, or consortiums – a notable shift from previous practices that typically favored state-owned defense firms.
The AMCA initiative, which received initial approval last year from the Cabinet Committee on Security led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aligns with his administration's push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
According to India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the first AMCA prototype is expected by 2027, followed by a series of development and weapons trials. Full-scale production could begin by 2035. The Indian Air Force plans to acquire at least 125 of the jets in two variants.
This announcement follows recent military tensions between India and Pakistan, during which India deployed both foreign and domestically built fighter jets. The Indian Air Force currently relies heavily on Russian aircraft such as the Su-30MKI and MiG-29, with more than 220 Su-30MKIs produced domestically under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Russia has previously proposed that India co-produce the export version of the Su-57 Felon stealth fighter. The Su-57, alongside the US-made F-35, was showcased at this year’s Aero India defense expo. However, experts suggest India is more inclined to prioritize its own indigenous fighter development over foreign purchases.
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