A high-level group headed by Rajesh Kumar Singh, the defense secretary, is completing a production model and plan to expedite the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
According to a report by The Times of India, India is planning to expedite the development and introduction of its ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Additionally, a high-level committee headed by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh is in the process of finalizing a production model and strategy to expedite the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
According to the statement, the panel, which consists of senior representatives from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and military Research and Development Organization (DRDO), as well as Air Marshal SP Dharkar, vice chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), and military production secretary Sanjeev Kumar, is anticipated to deliver its findings in April.
Pakistan is reportedly seeking to purchase at least 40 J-35A stealth fighter jets from China, which has already started displaying sixth-generation prototypes. This action coincides with those rumors. At airfields close to India, such as Hotan and Shigatse, China has already stationed its fifth-generation Chengdu J-20 aircraft.
In light of these developments and the delays in Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) Tejas jet production, the committee wants to create a plan to get AMCA up and running by cutting down on deadlines and increasing productivity. This includes developing a workable production model with more involvement from the private sector, according to a source cited in the paper.
The committee will also evaluate proposals to create a 110-kilonewton thrust-class engine domestically for the 25-ton AMCA, possibly with assistance from overseas partners. According to reports, major international aero-engine manufacturers are vying for the agreement, including USA-based General Electric, France-based Safran, and UK-based Rolls-Royce.
The creation of the group comes after a report by the defense committee that outlined a thorough plan for improving the IAF’s capacity to fill operational deficiencies. According to the report, on March 3, Rajnath Singh, the minister of defense, was shown the report.
Five AMCA prototypes were cleared for full-scale engineering development in March 2024 by the Cabinet Committee on Security, at an estimated cost of more than Rs 15,000 crore. Despite the AMCA’s superior sensor fusion, “serpentine air-intake,” and stealth features including an internal weapons bay, production is not expected to begin until 2035.
At least eight fighter squadrons are expected to retire during the next ten years, severely depleting the IAF, which currently only has 30 active squadrons out of the authorized 42.5. The IAF intends to introduce seven AMCA squadrons, totaling 126 aircraft, with the first two being powered by GE-F414 engines and the other five being powered by 110-kilonewton engines.
Meanwhile, the IAF plans to add 180 Tejas Mark-1A fighters and 108 Tejas Mark-2 jets to bolster its fleet. According to the article, work is also underway on the long-delayed project to produce 114 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) in collaboration with foreign companies.
