A model of the AMCA on display at the Aero India 2021. (File photo)
New Delhi: Days after the defence minister, Rajnath Singh gave approval for the execution model of the AMCA project, the Defence Research and Development Organisation on Wednesday issued an invitation for “expression of interest" (EOI) for the development of India’s 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter prototypes.
Aeronautics Development Agency of the DRDO uploaded the document on its website, seeking the applicant should be technically capable for the development, building of prototypes, supporting flight test and certification of AMCA.
The applicant may be a single entity, joint venture or a consortium of companies and the contract should not be exceeded 8 years from date of contract signing.
One of the criteria for applicants is that the entity must possess the capability of setting up a manufacturing facility for series production.
The last date for submissions of EOI is August 16, 2025.
The EOI document states, “Reputed Indian companies experienced in the aerospace and defence sector with the capability to absorb the design of the AMCA and possessing adequate experience in development, engineering, manufacturing, equipping, integration, testing, quality management and customer support will be shortlisted.”
This strategic shift represents New Delhi’s commitment to leveraging broader industrial capabilities to achieve self-reliance in advanced military aviation technology – a sector currently dominated by only three nations globally.
Several major private sector players have already demonstrated significant interest in the AMCA programme. Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Larsen & Toubro have emerged as key contenders following Mahindra Defence Systems’ withdrawal from the AMCA’s special purpose vehicle model.
The advanced medium combat aircraft represents India’s most ambitious aerospace project yet. It is designed to position the nation among the select few countries capable of developing fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft. Currently, only the United States, Russia, and China have successfully developed such advanced aircraft.
The programme was initiated in 2010 and received initial approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by the prime minister, Narendra Modi, in March 2024 with an estimated budget of ₹15,000 crore (approximately $1.75 billion).
The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, 25-tonne stealth fighter jet featuring cutting-edge technologies including:
* Sophisticated stealth airframe design optimised for low radar cross-section
* Internal weapons bay for maintaining stealth profile
* Diverterless supersonic intake
* Supercruise capability
* State-of-the-art avionics systems with multi-sensor data fusion
* Shoulder-mounted diamond-shaped trapezoidal wings
* Stabilator V-tail configuration
Multirole Combat Capabilities
The aircraft’s mission profile encompasses multiple roles including air supremacy, ground strikes, suppression of enemy air defences, and electronic warfare missions. This versatility positions it as a true multirole platform capable of addressing diverse operational requirements.
The AMCA is designed to carry 1,500 kilograms internally within its stealth configuration and an additional 5,500 kilograms externally when stealth considerations are secondary. With a fuel capacity of 6,500 kilograms, it can conduct extended range operations and deep penetration missions.
Development Timeline
The development timeline reflects the programme’s complexity, with prototype rollout scheduled for 2026-2027, followed by the first flight in 2028. Certification is expected by 2032, with full induction into the Air Force service planned for 2034-2035.
