Context: The Ministry of Defence has formally approved the execution model for India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. It opens the door for private sector participation alongside Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
AMCA Development- Major Highlights
- The Cabinet Committee on Security gave in-principle approval to the AMCA programme in 2024, with an estimated development cost of around ₹15,000 crore.
- The Ministry of Defence has formally approved the execution model for the AMCA programme. The AMCA programme is now open to competitive bidding. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) can now bid either independently or in partnership with private firms.
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has committed to delivering the AMCA prototype by 2035.
About Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
- AMCA is a 5th-generation fighter aircraft. It is currently the only 5th generation fighter under development in India.
- Indigenous development:
- Designed by: Aeronautical Development Agency under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will lead the project.
- Manufactured by: state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private companies.
Key specifications of AMCA:
- 25-tonne twin-engine aircraft, medium-weight multirole fighter jet
- Max speed: Nearly 2600 kilometres per hour (Mach 2.15)
- Combat range: 1620 kms
- Can carry armament weighing 6500 kg (1.5 tonnes internal payload capacity).
Key Features:
- Designed for multi-role missions- including air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW).
- Stealth aircraft (capable of avoiding enemy radars and air defence mechanisms). The stealth fighter uses:
- specialised paint coating and radar-absorbing material to reduce radar bounce-off
- exhaust nozzles that reduce infrared radiation emitted by the engine
- exhaust plume and fuselage technology that reduces the heat signature of the engine.
- First look first kill: AMCA will be based on the ‘first look, first kill’ concept, where an AMCA pilot would see an enemy plane first, fire a missile and destroy it before the latter can react.
- Fuel and Weapons: AMCA will have a concealed internal fuel tank of 6.5-tonne capacity, and an internal weapons bay for a range of weapons, including indigenous weapons.
Engine:
- AMCA Mk1 variant will have the US-built GE-F414 engine of the 98 kilonewton (kN) class.
- AMCA Mk2 will have a more powerful 110kN engine to be developed indigenously by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment in collaboration with foreign collaboration.
Weapons:
AMCA will carry:
- BrahMos-NG (next generation) air-to-ground missiles
- Astra air-to-air missiles
- Rudram air-to-ground anti-radiation missiles
- Anti-tank missiles, laser-guided bombs and precision munitions.
Strategic significance of AMCA:
- Fulfil operational gap in IAF: Indian Air Force has 31 fighter squadrons as against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons, significantly below the optimal readiness requirements. Of the current 31 squadrons, the phase out of two MIG-21 squadrons has been extended due to the delayed deliveries of Tejas LCA-Mk1A. Tejas LCA-Mk2 and AMCA are critical for IAF’s modernisation plans.
- Counter regional threats: Pakistan is expected to procure over 40 J-35A fifth-generation fighters from China. China is developing sixth-generation prototypes like the Chengdu J-36 and Shenyang J-50.
India’s entry into the fifth-generation fighter club, currently limited to the US (F-22 and F-35), Russia (Su-57), and China (J-20), reflects its growing defence ambitions amid evolving regional security challenges.
Also Read: Race for Fighters: the IAF’s dilemma