New Delhi: In a landmark decision poised to significantly bolster India’s indigenous defence capabilities and cultivate a thriving domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has given his crucial approval to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model.
The ambitious AMCA programme, which aims to develop a state-of-the-art fifth-generation stealth multirole combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force, will be spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Crucially, the execution model emphasizes a strong industry partnership, fostering a competitive environment for both private and public sectors.
Under this progressive approach, Indian companies will have equal opportunities to bid for participation, either independently, as joint ventures, or as consortia, provided they comply with national laws and regulations. This inclusive model is a testament to India’s commitment to harnessing its vast indigenous expertise, capability, and capacity in the aerospace sector.
The development of the AMCA prototype is considered a pivotal milestone towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) in aerospace technology, a core tenet of India’s defence strategy. The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, all-weather, multirole stealth fighter, designed for air superiority, ground strikes, suppression of enemy air defenses, and electronic warfare. It will feature advanced systems like an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, sensor fusion, and a smart cockpit with integrated decision aids, along with supercruise capability and manned-unmanned teaming integration.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is expected to issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the AMCA Development Phase shortly, inviting interested Indian entities to come forward and contribute to this transformative national endeavour. This move signals a significant acceleration in India’s journey to becoming a global leader in advanced defence manufacturing.