Article – Race to develop India’s 5th-Gen fighter jet

Jai Siya Ram

India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aimed at developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, is gaining significant momentum with the recent entry of a Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) consortium. This strategic partnership is a crucial step in India’s push for self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defense technology.

L&T-BEL Consortium Joins AMCA Program

L&T and BEL announced their collaboration to jointly contribute to the AMCA program. This partnership is a response to an Expression of Interest (EoI) issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the lead design firm for the AMCA project.

  • Leveraging Expertise: The consortium will combine L&T’s established strengths in strategic defense and aerospace platforms with BEL’s extensive experience in defense electronics and systems. This synergy is expected to deliver a cutting-edge, world-class solution for the Indian Air Force.
  • Proven Track Record: Both L&T and BEL have a history of successful collaboration on India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program. L&T supplied major aero-structure modules, while BEL developed mission-critical avionics and electronic systems for the LCA. This prior experience is expected to streamline the AMCA’s development, ensuring technology integration and timely delivery.
  • Boosting Indigenous Manufacturing: The partnership aligns with the Indian government’s vision to increase domestic defense production and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. This move is particularly significant as India aims to join an elite group of nations capable of fielding operational fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.

About the AMCA Program

The AMCA is envisioned as a single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather, multi-role stealth combat aircraft for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy.

  • Key Features: The aircraft is designed for a wide range of missions, including air superiority, ground strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and electronic warfare. It will feature advanced technologies such as geometric stealth (shape designed to deflect radar waves), supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners), internal weapons bays to maintain low radar visibility, AI-integrated systems, advanced avionics, and sensor fusion for enhanced situational awareness.
  • Development Timeline and Objectives: The AMCA program was formally approved with initial funding for prototype development. Prototypes are expected to roll out between 2028 and 2029, with the first flight targeted for 2028. Series production is anticipated by 2032-33, and induction into the Indian Air Force is currently scheduled for 2034. The project aims to replace aging aircraft like the Mirage-2000s and Jaguars.
  • Engine Development: While initially powered by General Electric F414 engines, India is collaborating with France’s Safran for the indigenous co-development of advanced thrust-vectoring engines for future variants (AMCA Mk2), emphasizing self-reliance in this critical component.
  • Strategic Importance: The AMCA is central to India’s long-term maritime and air power strategy, aimed at safeguarding national interests and countering regional challenges, particularly from China’s J-20 and Pakistan. It represents India’s ambition to achieve genuine strategic autonomy in aerial warfare and strengthen deterrence.

Chandan Singh

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