The Ministry of Defence is expected to issue a Request for Proposal for the manufacturing of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft by June 2026. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, is India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft programme for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.
AMCA Programme and Development Agencies
The AMCA is designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The full-scale engineering development phase began in April 2024. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the prototype development phase in March 2024 and sanctioned about ₹15,000 crore for the project.
Manufacturing Bid and Industrial Structure
Three private sector-led industrial groups have been pre-selected for the manufacturing contract. Tata Advanced Systems Limited will bid independently, a Larsen & Toubro–Bharat Electronics Limited consortium will bid jointly, and a consortium led by Bharat Forge with BEML and Data Patterns will also participate. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited was excluded from the shortlist for the prototype development phase in February 2026.
Prototype, Engine, and Induction Timeline
The first AMCA prototype is planned for roll-out in late 2026 or early 2027. The first flight is targeted for 2028, and serial production is expected to begin by 2035. The aircraft is planned for induction into the Indian Air Force in the mid-2030s.
Important Facts for Exams
The AMCA is India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme.
The Aeronautical Development Agency functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the prototype development phase in March 2024.
India is co-developing a 120 kN-class turbofan engine with Safran for the AMCA Mk-2 variant.
AMCA in Indian Defence Aviation
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