Fifth-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet Plan Cleared.
India moves closer to 5th-gen fighter jet, approves Rs 15,000-crore plan
India’s ambitious AMCA project aims to develop a medium-weight, deep-penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth capabilities to significantly enhance the country’s air power.
The Indian government, under Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
Kudos to the first step towards developing India’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This move, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with private industry partners, aims to bolster India’s defense capabilities and achieve self-reliance (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in advanced military technology. The AMCA, a twin-engine, 25-ton multirole fighter, will feature cutting-edge technologies such as advanced stealth (e.g., serpentine air intake, internal weapons bay, radar-absorbing materials), supercruise capability, sensor fusion, and AI-powered systems.
The project, initially approved in March 2024 with a budget of over ₹15,000 crore for five prototypes, is expected to enter production by 2035, with the Indian Air Force (IAF) planning to induct seven squadrons (126 jets). The first two squadrons will use GE-F414 engines (98 kN thrust), while the remaining five will feature more powerful 110 kN engines developed with foreign collaboration. The program will involve private sector participation to accelerate production and reduce reliance on state-run manufacturing, with the ADA soon inviting defense firms to develop prototypes. This initiative aligns with India’s broader push for indigenous defense manufacturing, evidenced by recent advancements like directed energy weapons and other systems nearing induction. The AMCA’s progress is a key indicator of India’s ability to achieve strategic autonomy in aerial warfare by 2035.
