Ministry of Defence

India has formally given the green light to its ambitious fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This move marks a major stride in strengthening the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing and aerospace innovation. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Tuesday that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the AMCA programme, which will be led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a key arm of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The decision follows the Cabinet Committee on Security’s (CCS) prior approval of the project in March 2024. “In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to execute the programme through Industry partnership,” the MoD said in a statement. The ministry also confirmed that the ADA is expected to soon release an Expression of Interest (EoI) to kick-start the development phase of the AMCA. This step will pave the way for creating the aircraft’s prototype. While no official timeline has been specified in the recent announcement, earlier reports suggested a prototype might be ready within three years of the go-ahead, with a maiden flight potentially occurring within a year to 18 months after that. The AMCA is expected to feature advanced stealth technology, positioning India among an elite group of nations—such as the United States, Russia, and China—that have developed fifth-generation fighter jets. However, past delays and budgetary constraints have raised concerns about the project’s viability and timelines. The green signal for AMCA comes at a crucial moment for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is grappling with a significant shortfall in its fighter squadron strength. The IAF currently operates around 29 squadrons—well below the sanctioned strength of 41. This shortfall has raised alarms, particularly given India’s increasingly tense security environment, with mounting threats from both Pakistan and China. The slow pace of aircraft procurement and challenges in domestic defence development have further exacerbated these concerns among military planners. The AMCA project is seen as a key initiative to not only bolster the IAF’s capabilities but also to catalyse the growth of India’s aerospace sector through industry partnerships and indigenous innovation. Source: Firstpost