India’s 5th-generation stealth fighter jet programme gets govt nod
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approves framework of fifth-generation radar-evading stealth fighter, termed the Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft or AMCA
Days after India and Pakistan exchanged air strikes across the LoC following Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (May 27), approved the framework of the country’s fifth-generation radar-evading stealth fighter termed the Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
ADA to execute stealth fighter project
Making the announcement, the Defence Ministry stated in a post on X that the Defence Minister had cleared the AMCA programme execution model, adding that the project would be executed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
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“Major milepost towards #AatmanirbharDefence. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has cleared #AMCA Programme Execution Model to be executed by Aeronautical Development Agency through Industry partnership. This is an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability & capacity to develop the prototype, #MakeInIndia,” stated the Defence Ministry post on X.
Industry partnership
The Defence Ministry statement said that the expression of interest for the AMCA development phase will be issued soon. It further stated that the ADA will execute the programme through industry partnership, adding that “equal opportunity” will be provided to both public and private sectors on a “competitive basis”.
“Indian companies can bid independently or as joint venture/consortia,” stated the Defence Ministry.
According to a report by Reuters, the proposed Indian jet will be a radar-evading twin engine fifth generation stealth fighter.
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Crucial for IAF
The development is crucial for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in view of its current reported shortfall in the number of required fighter jets. Compared to the sanctioned 42 squadrons, the IAF currently operates 31 squadrons, mainly comprising Russian (former Soviet) fighters, along with the French-made Rafale and Mirage fighters.
New Delhi’s move to fast-track the execution of its stealth fighter project comes days after military strikes between India and Pakistan using drones and fighter jets following Operation Sindoor launched by India in retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead.