India's AMCA: Seven Companies Compete to Develop Indigenous 5th-Generation Stealth Fighter

A mock-up of India's new 5th-gen stealth fighter, the AMCA.

New Delhi:

Seven Indian companies have submitted bids to collaborate with the Defence Research and Development Organisation to design and develop prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) - India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.

Two companies will be shortlisted from the seven bidders and receive Rs 15,000 crore collectively to construct five AMCA prototypes to exacting standards before manufacturing rights are granted.

The competing companies include Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and Adani Defence. Their proposals will be evaluated by a committee headed by former BrahMos Aerospace chief A Sivathanu Pillai, according to defence officials who spoke with ANI.

The committee will present its findings to the Defence Ministry, which will make the final selection decision.

The AMCA project, valued at approximately Rs 2 lakh crore and expected to produce over 125 fighter jets, is unlikely to be ready for Air Force induction until 2035.

Upon completion, India will join an exclusive group of nations possessing fifth-generation fighters. As of May 2025, only the United States (F-22 and F-35), China (J-20), and Russia (Su-57) operate such advanced aircraft.

What is the AMCA?

India's pioneering fifth-generation fighter will be a single-seat twin-engine aircraft featuring advanced stealth coatings and internal weapons bays similar to those on American and Russian counterparts - the F-22, F-35, and Su-57.

The aircraft is projected to have an operational ceiling of 55,000 feet and carry 1,500kg of weaponry in internal compartments, with an additional 5,500kg externally. The AMCA will likely accommodate a further 6,500kg in fuel.

Reports indicate two variants are planned; the second version is intended to incorporate an indigenously developed engine, potentially more powerful than the American-made GE F414 engine powering the initial variant.

Overall, the AMCA aims to be a supermaneuverable and stealthy multirole fighter aircraft.

But what defines a 5th-generation fighter?

While no single definition exists, these aircraft generally incorporate major technologies developed in the early 21st century and represent the most advanced fighter jets currently operational.

The key characteristic is superior battlefield software providing pilots with comprehensive information about the battlespace and enemy combatants, along with any potential tactical advantages.

India's 5th-gen fighter project expected to cost Rs 15,000 crore. Photo: pib.gov.in

Specifically, these aircraft feature innovative avionics capable of networking with friendly forces for enhanced situational awareness and advanced C3 (control, command, and communications) capabilities.

Behind India's AMCA initiative

The approval of the AMCA project highlights India's commitment to military modernization, including weapons and equipment upgrades, following recent military tensions with nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and China.

As part of this modernization effort, India signed a Rs 63,000 crore agreement in April to purchase 26 Rafale-M fighter jets (marine variants) from France's Dassault Aviation. Scheduled for delivery by 2031, these aircraft will replace aging Russian MiG29Ks. The Indian Air Force already operates 36 Rafale-C fighters.

Over the past decade, India has also launched domestically developed and constructed military assets, including an aircraft carrier, warships, submarines, and tested long-range hypersonic missiles.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has committed to at least $100 billion in new domestic military hardware contracts by 2033 to stimulate indigenous arms production and boost export revenues.

With input from agencies

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)