Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model, as efforts towards enhancing indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem.The programme will be implemented by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with industry partners. The execution framework ensures equal competitive opportunities for both private and public sector entities. According to the defence ministry, Participants can submit bids individually, through joint ventures, or as consortia. The participating entity must be an Indian company that adheres to national laws and regulations. This strategic initiative marks a crucial advancement towards developing the AMCA prototype, representing a significant achievement in aerospace sector self-reliance. The ADA will soon release an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the AMCA Development Phase.The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the project to design and develop the AMCA jet on March 7, 2024. The AMCA is a fifth-generation, medium-weight stealth fighter jet being developed by the DRDO under a project valued at approximately Rs 15,000 crore.The AMCA, with the requisite thrust-to-weight ratio, advanced sensor fusion and stealth features like an internal weapons bay and “serpentine air-intake”, however, will be ready for production only by 2035 at the earliest as per existing timelines. In India, the AMCA will follow the progressive induction of the Tejas Mark-1A and Mark-2 jets, all of which are critical for IAF because it’s currently grappling with just 31 fighter squadrons when 42.5 are authorised to tackle the China-Pakistan threat.While IAF currently has only 40 Tejas Mark-1 jets powered by GE-F404 engines, deliveries of the 83 improved Tejas Mark-1A fighters for Rs 46,898 crore will soon begin, and will be followed by another 97 such jets for around Rs 67,000 crore.
