New Delhi: India has successfully completed its Fifth Generation Stealth Fighter Jet project. The Ministry of Defence has invited private companies to participate in manufacturing these advanced aircraft. This initiative is expected to enhance India’s indigenous defence capabilities and also offers private firms and consortiums an opportunity to be part of the program.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh informed the media that the Cabinet has approved the program execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
He further stated that the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is leading the project and, going forward, will involve private companies and consortiums as partners. This approach ensures equal opportunities for both public and private sectors. The bidding process will be open and may occur independently or through joint ventures or consortiums. However, participating companies must be Indian, fully capable, and compliant with all national laws.
In March, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by the Prime Minister, approved the design and manufacturing of the AMCA aircraft.
This ₹15,000 crore project aims to develop and produce the aircraft, which will be powered by two types of engines. The Mark-1 version will use General Electric (GE) F414 engines with 98 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust, while the more powerful Mark-2 will use engines with 110 kN thrust, which are currently under development.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to form seven squadrons of AMCA jets (each with 18 aircraft). Of these, two will be Mark-1, and the remaining five will be Mark-2.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the engines for the Mark-2 version will be manufactured domestically. Companies such as France’s Safran, America’s GE, and the UK’s Rolls-Royce are currently competing for the contract.
These aircraft will feature cutting-edge avionics and an indigenous AESA radar system. They will be equipped with both internal and external weapons.
Currently, only the U.S. (F-22 Raptor), Russia (SU-57), and China (J-20) possess such advanced fighter jets. With this project, India is set to become the fourth nation to enter this elite group.