SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious AMCA MkII (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program, spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is set to mark a significant milestone in the country’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology. To achieve a 90% indigenous component in the AMCA MkII, the project represents a crucial step in India’s broader push for greater indigenization in its defence sector. HAL aims to roll out the first AMCA MkII prototype by late 2028, with a focus on progressively increasing the use of domestic components as the program advances.
The AMCA MkII is designed to be a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, featuring cutting-edge stealth, advanced avionics, and high-performance capabilities. One of the key objectives of the program is to ensure that a significant portion of the aircraft’s components, systems, and technologies are of Indian origin. HAL and ADA have emphasized a target of 90% indigenous content in the AMCA MkII, setting the bar high for local manufacturing and technological development.
The prototype of the AMCA MkII, scheduled to be rolled out by late 2028, will feature approximately 70% indigenous components. However, the program’s long-term goal is to replace the remaining imported systems with locally developed alternatives as the production ramps up. By late 2033, when the AMCA MkII enters production, it is expected that 90% of its components will be domestically sourced, setting a new standard for India’s defence self-sufficiency.
One of the most notable aspects of the AMCA MkII is its engine. The aircraft will be powered by an Indian-made 110kN engine, marking a significant achievement for the country’s defence industry. This engine, developed with the collaboration of a foreign partner, will not only provide the necessary thrust for the aircraft’s performance but also ensure that India has control over a critical component that was previously reliant on foreign suppliers.
While the target for indigenous content is ambitious, industry sources speaking to idrw.org have noted that 100% indigenization of the AMCA MkII is not economically viable. Attempting to achieve complete self-sufficiency in the development of all components and systems could potentially lead to higher production costs, which would drive up the unit cost of each fighter jet.
Therefore, while 90% of indigenous components remain the program’s goal, the remaining 10% of the aircraft’s systems may still be sourced from foreign suppliers. These components are expected to be of less critical significance, meaning their absence from the Indian supply chain would not pose substantial risks to the overall operational capability of the aircraft. If the global supply chain is disrupted or if sanctions are imposed, the impact of losing access to these non-essential components would be minimal, as they would not affect the core performance or strategic utility of the AMCA MkII.
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