SOURCE: AFI
On May 27, 2025, India’s Ministry of Defence, under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, made a historic announcement that reverberated across the global aerospace community: the formal approval of the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
This milestone marks a decisive step in India’s quest to develop its first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, a project that underscores the nation’s ambition to achieve self-reliance in defense under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. In an exclusive interview, former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria joined me to discuss the significance of this development, the challenges ahead, and why India is betting on the AMCA over foreign alternatives like Russia’s Su-57 or the U.S. F-35.
The AMCA, a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is poised to transform India’s air combat capabilities. The approval of the program’s execution framework signals the government’s commitment to fast-tracking this ambitious project, with the ADA leading development in collaboration with private industry partners. The announcement comes at a critical juncture, as regional tensions with China and Pakistan escalate, and the IAF grapples with a dwindling fleet of 31 fighter squadrons against an authorized strength of 42.
The AMCA is designed to be a 5.5-generation stealth fighter, boasting advanced features such as a low radar cross-section, supercruise capability, internal weapons bays, and cutting-edge avionics, including AI-powered electronic pilot systems and net-centric warfare capabilities. According to DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat, the aircraft is expected to complete development trials by 2034, with induction into the IAF slated for 2035. The project’s timeline includes the rollout of five prototypes by 2026-27, a first flight in 2028, and certification by 2032.
During our conversation, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria emphasized that the AMCA is not just a technological endeavor but a strategic necessity. “India’s decision to prioritize the AMCA over foreign platforms like the Su-57 or F-35 is rooted in the need for strategic autonomy,” he said. “While both the Su-57 and F-35 are formidable, they come with dependencies—be it technology transfer limitations, export restrictions, or geopolitical baggage. The AMCA, on the other hand, is a clean slate, built from the ground up to meet India’s specific operational needs.”
India’s withdrawal from the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program in 2018, which was based on the Su-57, was a turning point. Bhadauria explained that the IAF had concerns about the Su-57’s stealth performance and the challenges surrounding its Izdeliye 30 engine. Additionally, the decision aligned with India’s “Make in India” initiative, which prioritizes indigenous defense manufacturing. Similarly, while the U.S. F-35 is a proven fifth-generation platform, its high costs, restrictive technology-sharing policies, and India’s desire to avoid over-reliance on foreign suppliers made it a less viable option.
“The AMCA is India’s answer to these challenges,” Bhadauria asserted. “It’s not just about building a fighter jet; it’s about creating an ecosystem of indigenous aerospace innovation. From stealth airframe design to advanced sensors and propulsion, the AMCA will incorporate technologies that rival global standards while being tailored for India’s security environment.”
The AMCA is designed to be a versatile, medium-weight fighter (27 tonnes) capable of air supremacy, ground strikes, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), and electronic warfare. Its key features include:
- Stealth Technology: A low electromagnetic signature, radar-absorbing materials, and an internal weapons bay to minimize radar visibility.
- Supercruise and Supermaneuverability: The ability to sustain supersonic speeds without afterburners and enhanced agility through thrust-vectoring engines.
- Advanced Avionics: AI-powered systems, net-centric warfare capabilities, and sensor fusion for real-time combat coordination.
- Indigenous Content: Initially 75% indigenous, scaling to 85%, with the GE F414 engine powering the first two squadrons (Mk1) and a more powerful 110kN engine, co-developed with a foreign partner, for the Mk2 variant.
Bhadauria highlighted the AMCA’s “sixth-generation characteristics,” such as optional manned capability, integration with unmanned loyal wingmen, and potential support for hypersonic weapons. “The AMCA is not just keeping pace with fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 or China’s J-20; it’s designed to bridge the gap toward next-generation warfare,” he noted.
Despite the optimism, the AMCA program faces significant hurdles. Developing a fifth-generation fighter is a complex and costly endeavor, with historical timelines for platforms like the F-35 and J-20 spanning over a decade. India’s lack of expertise in stealth technology and high-thrust engines has been a persistent challenge. The program has already faced delays, with the initial target for a first flight by 2024-25 pushed to 2028.
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