India’s AMCA Stealth Jet Project Approved: A Leap Towards Indigenous Air Power

India’s AMCA Stealth Fighter Jet Latest News 

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Programme.

Indigenous Fifth-Generation Fighter Project Gets Green Light

• In a strategic boost to India’s self-reliant defence vision, the Ministry of Defence has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. 
• This decision marks a defining moment in India’s efforts to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet capable of meeting future warfare requirements and matching global standards in air combat technology.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), in collaboration with private industry partners, will spearhead the development of AMCA, a stealth-heavy, multi-role aircraft. 
• The plan is to produce five prototypes under a budget exceeding Rs. 15,000 crore. 
• The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the full-scale engineering development in 2024, with a projected delivery target of 2035.

Features and Capabilities of AMCA

• The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, 25-tonne aircraft equipped with advanced stealth characteristics, including internal weapons bays, sensor fusion, and super cruise capability. 
• These features are designed to significantly reduce radar visibility, allowing the aircraft to engage in deep-penetration missions and precision strikes with minimal detection.
• Key technological highlights of the AMCA include:
  • Internal Fuel Capacity: 6.5 tonnes
  • Electronic Pilot: AI-assisted decision-making system
  • Integrated Vehicle Health Management: Predictive maintenance for reduced downtime
  • Net-centric Warfare Suite: Real-time combat coordination, including seamless integration with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
  • Weapon Load: Internal bay capable of carrying 1,500 kg, including four long-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions
• The AMCA’s features put it in the same league as advanced fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning II (USA), Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia), and Chengdu J-20 (China). 
• These aircraft emphasize stealth, multi-role capabilities, and network-enabled warfare.

Strategic Significance and Global Comparison

• The AMCA project aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aimed at strengthening indigenous defence production. 
• By developing a fifth-generation stealth platform, India joins an elite group of nations with cutting-edge aerial combat capabilities.
• Unlike fourth-generation fighters or India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variants, AMCA will possess:
  • Low Electromagnetic Signature
  • High Stealth Index
  • Enhanced Avionics and Situational Awareness
• Comparative platforms like the F-35 offer stealth and combat capabilities with internal fuel capacities exceeding 18,000 pounds and payloads of up to 18,000 pounds, while Russia’s Su-57 boasts supersonic speeds and high manoeuvrability. 
• The AMCA, though smaller in payload and size, promises comparable stealth and digital integration tailored to Indian defence needs.

Challenges Ahead: Engine Development and Timeline

• A critical challenge in the AMCA programme lies in developing an appropriate engine. 
• The current plan involves a joint venture with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to develop a next-gen engine that meets thrust, efficiency, and stealth requirements.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has committed to delivering the first operational AMCA unit by 2035, which marks a ten-year development cycle starting from its sanction in 2024.
• India’s ambitious aerospace roadmap also includes other key indigenous defence systems, such as:
  • LCA Mk II
  • Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD)
  • Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

Generational Leap in Air Warfare Capability

• The AMCA programme represents a transformative leap for India’s air power. 
• The shift from legacy 3rd and 4th generation platforms, like the MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and even the Tejas Mk1, towards a fifth-generation stealth fighter embodies the evolution of India’s defence doctrine into one that prioritizes technology superiority, survivability, and force multiplication.
• Each successive generation of fighter jets, from basic jet propulsion in Gen-1 to radar integration in Gen-2, multi-role capabilities in Gen-3, and sensor fusion in Gen-5, reflects the changing nature of aerial warfare. 
• AMCA’s induction will elevate India’s operational readiness across multiple theatres, including both land and maritime domains.

India’s AMCA Stealth Fighter Jet FAQs

Q1. What is the AMCA programme?

Ans. AMCA is India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project, led by the ADA in collaboration with private industry partners.

Q2. When is AMCA expected to be ready?

Ans. The DRDO has committed to delivering the AMCA by 2035, following its approval in 2024.

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Q3. What are the key features of AMCA?

Ans. AMCA includes stealth design, internal weapons bays, AI-based Electronic Pilot, and supercruise capability.

Q4. How does AMCA compare with global fifth-gen fighters?

Ans. AMCA places India alongside nations like the US, Russia, and China with advanced stealth aircraft like the F-35, Su-57, and J-20.

Q5. What is the estimated cost of the AMCA project?

Ans. The initial cost for developing five AMCA prototypes is over ₹15,000 crore.

Source: TH | News18