Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft prototype expected by 2028-29

As the project for the design and development of the indigenous fifth generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), makes progress, the Defence Ministry is working out a model for bringing in the private sector in a big way, which is important for timely execution of the project, according to official sources. The first prototype is expected to be ready by 2028-29.

“The design of the AMCA is ready. The prototype is expected to roll out by 2028-29 and the production is expected to begin from 2032-33. The target is to have it ready for induction in 2034, a decade from project sanction,” an official source said. In preparation to have the manufacturing and deliveries on track, there is significant private industry involvement that is being envisaged. “We have to decide a model for private sector involvement. A model is expected to be worked out in the next six months,” an official source said.

The Defence Ministry has already issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to the industry and three responses were received.

The AMCA project is particularly critical as it is India’s only FGFA that is planned for induction at a time when a series of such FGFA development projects are making progress worldwide. China, which has made great progress in the development and deployment of FGFAs, has recently deployed its twin-engine J-20 FGFA in Tibet bordering India.

CCS clearance

The AMCA project got sanction from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March. It is envisaged as a 25-tonne twin engine stealth aircraft with internal weapons bay and diverterless supersonic intake which has been developed in India for the first time. It is intended to have an internal carriage of 1,500 kg of payload and 5,500 kg of external payload with 6,500 kg of internal fuel. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is the production agency for the project, has already initiated manufacturing activities.

The development of AMCA is planned to be carried out in two phases, a MK1 with the General Electric F414 engine and a Mk2 with a more powerful engine planned to be co-developed in partnership with Saran of France for which discussions are under way.

An aircraft development project, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2, a larger and more capable aircraft than the present LCA, is on track and the prototype is expected to be ready by 2027, the sources stated.

In September 2022, the CCS gave sanction for the development of LCA-Mk2 at a total cost of ₹9,000 crore. The LCA-Mk2 will also be powered by the GE F-414 engine which produces 98kN thrust compared to 84kN thrust of the GE-404 engine powering the LCA Mk1 and MK1A. A deal to licence-manufacture the F-414 in India by the HAL is in advanced states of conclusion.