Bolstering India’s indigenous defence manufacturing and establish a world-class domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under the Ministry of Defence, will spearhead the execution of this ambitious programme through active industry partnership. The approved model opens up equal opportunities for both public and private sector players, allowing them to participate independently or as part of joint ventures or consortia. As per the mandate, all participating entities must be Indian companies in full compliance with national laws and regulations.
Officials highlight this development as a significant stride towards realising the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbharta in the defence and aerospace sectors. The programme aims to harness indigenous expertise, capabilities, and capacities for the development of the AMCA prototype — a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet poised to enhance the Indian Air Force’s combat edge.
Aeronautical Development Agency is expected to soon release an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Development Phase of the AMCA, paving the way for the onboarding of industry collaborators and technology partners.
Defence experts have welcomed the move, stating it reflects the government’s strong commitment to not only modernising the armed forces but also nurturing a robust ecosystem for high-tech defence manufacturing within the country.
The AMCA project is regarded as a cornerstone in India’s defence modernization roadmap, and its successful development is expected to place India among a select group of nations with the capability to design and produce cutting-edge stealth combat aircraft.
