New Delhi, India: As part of an ambitious plan to bolster its aerial capabilities, India is set to develop its prototype of the 5.5-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by 2028. The initiative marks a significant stride towards developing an indigenous advanced combat aircraft that aligns with the nation’s strategic goals. A recent high-level meeting between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) reviewed the project’s roadmap and underscored its importance to India's defence preparedness.  

Senior defence officials have confirmed that the AMCA will be a stealth aircraft weighing approximately 27 tonnes, designed to carry a substantial weapons load. One of the primary focuses of this development is to incorporate capabilities that enable the aircraft to carry missiles in a concealed configuration, enhancing its stealth characteristics. The officials added that while the AMCA would be optimized for stealth missions, it would still maintain a conventional configuration to carry a larger payload when necessary.  

The development timeline suggests that if engine production and other associated activities proceed as scheduled, the first AMCA prototype will be ready by 2028. The aircraft will require a further six to seven years of development before it is combat-ready to fight future wars. The mass production of the AMCA is anticipated to begin by 2035, involving collaboration between DRDO, a public sector unit, and a private sector firm under a development cum production partnership.  

Why is AMCA a Key Element of India's Future Air Power  

The AMCA is an Indian single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather multirole combat aircraft with fifth-generation stealth capabilities. Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an aircraft design organization under the Ministry of Defence, the AMCA will be developed in two variants. The Mark-1 variant will incorporate fifth-generation fighter technologies, while the Mark-2 variant is planned to feature sixth-generation technology upgrades.  

The aircraft is designed to fulfil various mission profiles, including air supremacy, ground strikes, suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW) missions. The AMCA aims to replace the ageing Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters, which currently form the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet.

In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the AMCA project’s prototype development. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and a private company is being formed to spearhead the aircraft's development and production. The AMCA is also optimized for a low radar cross-section and supercruise capability, making it a formidable asset in future aerial combat scenarios.  

The development of the AMCA is complemented by the ongoing Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 2 program, another significant project aimed at enhancing India's indigenous fighter capabilities. The prototype for the LCA Mark 2, initially expected by early 2025, has been delayed by approximately a year due to setbacks in funding approvals, particularly those related to the engine deal for the next indigenous fighter.

The LCA series is powered by American GE engines, with the LCA Mark 1 and Mark 1A utilizing GE-404 engines, and the LCA Mark 2 set to use the more advanced GE-414 engines, which will be manufactured in India with significant indigenous content.   

India’s Roadmap to Self-Reliance in Defense Production  

India’s pursuit of the AMCA and LCA programs is part of a broader strategy to achieve self-reliance in defence production. The AMCA, being the only 5th-generation fighter aircraft under development in India, is poised to play a pivotal role in this vision. The project’s progression to the detailed design phase in February 2019, following a completed feasibility study and preliminary design stage, marks a critical step towards realizing this indigenous capability.

If successful, the AMCA will serve as a testament to India's growing aerospace capabilities and its resolve to reduce dependence on foreign military imports. The combination of stealth, advanced avionics, and multirole functionality positions the AMCA as a future cornerstone of India’s air combat strategy, capable of addressing the evolving threats and challenges in the region. The mass production phase for AMCA is targeted for 2035, contingent upon the timely completion of the prototype and subsequent testing phases. The DRDO, along with its chosen partners, is committed to meeting these milestones, ensuring the aircraft’s readiness for future combat scenarios.