The Defence Ministry has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to three shortlisted bidders for the development and production of five prototypes of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore, paving the way for a second fighter aircraft production ecosystem outside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
The AMCA is India’s proposed fifth-generation multi-role stealth fighter jet being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation through its Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The shortlisted bidders are Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a consortium of Larsen and Toubro and Bharat Electronics Limited, and another consortium comprising Bharat Forge and Bharat Earth Movers Limited.
Powered initially by American GE-414 engines, the stealth fighter is expected to see its first prototype ready by early 2027, while the maiden flight is projected between 2028 and 2029.
Serial production is expected to begin in the mid-2030s, with future variants likely to be equipped with 120 kN Safran engines manufactured in India.
Earlier this month, the foundation stone was laid for the ₹15,803 crore Integration and Flight Testing Complex at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh after the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared development of the five AMCA prototypes.
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The AMCA is expected to feature stealth technology, super-cruise capability, internal weapons bays and advanced artificial intelligence systems.
Officials say the aircraft is being designed to compete with fifth-generation fighter platforms such as the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, China’s Chengdu J-20 and Russia’s Sukhoi Su-57.
The aircraft is eventually expected to replace portions of the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet and carry indigenous Astra air-to-air missiles, air-to-surface weapons, glide bombs and advanced radar systems.
The development comes amid India’s broader push to strengthen indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on imports.
The Indian Air Force has also proposed acquiring two squadrons of Su-57 fighters through the “Make in India” route, though the government is yet to take a final decision on the proposal.
Meanwhile, India has started cost negotiations with France’s Dassault Aviation for the direct acquisition and local production of 114 fighter jets to maintain the Indian Air Force’s operational strength.
The move follows lessons drawn from recent conflicts, including Operation Sindoor in May 2025, which highlighted the growing importance of long-range aerial warfare and stand-off strike capabilities.
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