India’s 5th-Generation Fighter Jet Ambitions: All you Need to Know about AMCA Programme

The year was 2008, and India was watching. Half a world away, the F-22 Raptor, the world’s first fifth-generation fighter, was already dominating U.S. air superiority. Not long after, China began testing its J-20, signalling its rapid ascent in stealth warfare. Russia, despite setbacks, continued pushing its Su-57 programme.

And India? It was still flying MiG-21s, a fighter designed in the 1950s. The world was moving into stealth, data fusion, and hypersonic warfare, and the Indian Air Force (IAF) knew it had to act. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, a fifth-generation fighter jet envisioned as India’s answer to modern aerial threats, was not just an ambition—it was a necessity.

About two decades later, that vision is closer to reality but still too far. With critical approvals, prototype development, and strategic partnerships underway, AMCA is poised to become India’s most advanced indigenous fighter, placing the country in an elite club of nations developing next-generation warplanes. This ambitious initiative seeks to propel India into the exclusive league of nations capable of indigenously developing fifth-generation stealth fighters, reflecting its resolve to transform from a major defence importer to a self-reliant producer of cutting-edge military technology.

Genesis of the AMCA Programme

The inception of the AMCA program traces back to the early 2000s, a period marked by rapid advancements in stealth technology and fifth-generation fighter developments globally. The stakes were high. India was late to the stealth fighter race. The United States had fielded the F-22 Raptor as early as 2005, while China had rushed its J-20 into service by 2017. Russia, though facing delays, had at least flown its Su-57.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, India’s first major homegrown fighter, had been a cautionary tale. Launched in 1983, it took nearly four decades before the Indian Air Force (IAF) began inducting it in serious numbers. Delays, engine problems, and foreign dependency had slowed the project.

By the late 2000s, Indian defence planners knew they needed a next-generation fighter, and they had two choices:

1. Partner with Russia on the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA), based on the Su-57.
2. Build an entirely indigenous fifth-generation fighter—a more ambitious but strategically independent path.

For years, India pursued the Russian partnership, investing millions in the FGFA project. But by 2018, the collaboration had collapsed. The Su-57 failed to meet Indian requirements, and the IAF had little confidence in Russian stealth technology.

That left only one option: The AMCA.

India had recognized the imperative to modernize its air force to maintain regional deterrence and safeguard its strategic interests. This realization catalyzed the initiation of the AMCA program, with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at its helm.

The program’s early phase, known as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) program, was conceived as a parallel endeavour to the Indo-Russian Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) project. However, as the FGFA faced delays and divergences in vision, the AMCA emerged as India’s primary focus for developing an indigenous fifth-generation fighter. The program officially commenced in 2010, with the ADA embarking on feasibility studies and preliminary design efforts to outline the aircraft’s envisioned capabilities and configurations.

Inside the AMCA: What Makes It a True Fifth-Generation Fighter?

The AMCA is designed to be a stealth, twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft that will replace aging Su-30MKIs and complement Rafale squadrons. It will incorporate advanced technologies that rival American, Chinese, and Russian designs.

Key Capabilities of AMCA:

• Stealth Capabilities: Achieving a reduced radar cross-section through airframe shaping, radar-absorbent materials, and internal weapon bays to enhance survivability in contested environments.
• Supercruise: Enabling sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, allowing rapid response and reduced infrared signature.
• Advanced Avionics and Sensor Fusion: Integrating state-of-the-art avionics, sensors, and electronic warfare systems to provide superior situational awareness and network-centric warfare capabilities.
• Multirole Functionality: Ensuring versatility in mission profiles, ranging from air superiority and ground attack to reconnaissance and electronic warfare.

India has designed two versions:

1. AMCA Mark 1 – A fifth-generation fighter, but with foreign engines (likely General Electric F414).
2. AMCA Mark 2 – A true indigenous fighter, featuring an Indian-made 110 kN thrust engine, currently in development with Safran (France).

The Mark 2 is the real game-changer. If India succeeds in developing its own jet engine, it will be the first non-Western country besides China and Russia to master this technology.

The AMCA is envisioned as a single-seat, twin-engine, all-weather multirole combat aircraft, incorporating a suite of advanced technologies to meet the evolving demands of modern aerial warfare.

The design evolution underwent rigorous iterations, with nine configurations (3B-01 to 3B-09) studied between November 2013 and December 2014. These iterations involved extensive computational analyses, wind tunnel testing, and radar cross-section evaluations, culminating in the selection of configuration 3B-09 as the final design blueprint.

Development Milestones and Challenges

The AMCA program has navigated a plethora of technological challenges, developmental milestones, and strategic decisions:

1. Feasibility and Preliminary Design (2010-2014): Following the issuance of Air Staff Qualitative Requirements (ASQR) by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in April 2010, the ADA conducted feasibility studies and preliminary design work. By February 2014, the Project Definition and Preliminary Design phase concluded, setting the stage for detailed design activities.
2. Detailed Design and Funding Approvals (2015-2019): The program progressed into the Detailed Design Phase (DDP) in 2018, bolstered by additional funding allocations. During this period, the IAF reaffirmed its commitment to the AMCA, especially after India’s withdrawal from the FGFA project, underscoring the indigenous program’s strategic importance.
3. Prototype Development and Industrial Collaboration (2020-Present): In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) granted approval for prototype development, marking a pivotal transition from design to manufacturing. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and private industry partners was proposed to streamline development and production processes. However, debates regarding the optimal industrial partnership model ensued, reflecting the complexities of balancing public and private sector roles in defense manufacturing.

Despite these advancements, the program has confronted significant challenges:

• Engine Development: The indigenous Kaveri engine, initially intended to power the AMCA, failed to meet performance standards, necessitating the exploration of alternative powerplants. India is currently evaluating collaboration opportunities with international engine manufacturers, including France’s Safran and the UK’s Rolls-Royce, to co-develop a suitable engine with full intellectual property rights for India. A final decision is anticipated by 2025, with the selected engine expected to deliver the requisite thrust and reliability for the AMCA’s operational requirements.
• Stealth Technology: Developing effective stealth capabilities entails mastering complex technologies related to airframe design, materials science, and signature management. Achieving low observability while maintaining aerodynamic performance and structural integrity presents a formidable engineering challenge.
• Avionics and Systems Integration: Integrating advanced avionics, sensors, and electronic warfare suites requires sophisticated systems engineering to ensure seamless interoperability and resilience against emerging threats. This includes developing indigenous software and hardware solutions to mitigate dependencies on foreign technologies.
• Funding and Delays: The AMCA is expected to cost billions of dollars, and India is also spending on Rafale acquisitions, S-400 air defence systems, and nuclear modernization. Budget cuts could slow the program, just as they did for Tejas.

How AMCA Compares to Global Fifth-Generation Fighters

India isn’t entering an empty playing field. The AMCA will have to compete with existing and upcoming stealth fighters from rival nations.

The F-22 remains the most advanced air superiority fighter, while the F-35 dominates in multirole capability. However, China’s J-20 is emerging as a serious regional threat, with India needing AMCA to counterbalance it.

Strategic Implications and Future Prospects

The successful realization of the AMCA program holds profound strategic implications for India:

• Enhanced Air Power: The induction of the AMCA would significantly bolster the IAF’s combat capabilities, providing a technological edge in the region and enhancing deterrence against potential adversaries.
• Defense Industrial Base: The program serves as a catalyst for advancing India’s defense industrial base, fostering innovation, and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of developing complex aerospace systems.
• Geopolitical Standing: Achieving self-reliance in fifth-generation fighter technology would elevate India’s stature in the global defense arena, enabling it to participate in high-value collaborations and export opportunities.

When will AMCA Fly?

Let’s come to the billion-dollar question now. What are the projected timelines? While the world has already started work on sixth-generation fighters, when can we witness the flight of AMCA? and what comes next?

• Prototype Rollout and Testing: The first prototype is slated for rollout by late 2026 or early 2027, with the inaugural flight expected in 2028. Subsequent prototypes will undergo rigorous flight testing to validate design parameters, performance metrics, and operational capabilities.
• Production and Induction: Upon successful completion of testing and certification, series production is anticipated to commence in the early 2030s, with initial inductions into the IAF projected by 2034. The program envisions the production of 120 AMCA units, with potential variants for the Indian Navy under consideration.
• International Collaborations: Strategic partnerships for engine development and other critical technologies will play a pivotal role in mitigating risks and accelerating timelines. These collaborations are expected to facilitate technology transfers, bolster indigenous capabilities, and strengthen geopolitical ties.

What Comes After AMCA? India’s Next-Generation Fighter Plans

While AMCA is India’s immediate focus, the country is already looking beyond fifth-generation fighters. Discussions are underway within the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) about a sixth-generation fighter program, tentatively referred to as the Next-Generation Fighter Aircraft (NGFA).

Unlike previous projects, where India played catch-up, NGFA aims to place the country at the forefront of global air combat technology. Although details are scarce, key features under consideration include optional manned capability, meaning the aircraft could operate autonomously or with a pilot depending on mission needs. Directed energy weapons, such as laser-based systems for missile defence and precision strikes, are also being explored. Additionally, advanced artificial intelligence is expected to be integrated for real-time threat analysis and target acquisition. Another area of interest is the ability to command and coordinate swarms of autonomous drones, a concept gaining traction in sixth-generation warfare.

India has not officially committed to NGFA’s timeline, but discussions suggest that once AMCA enters production in the 2030s, the focus will shift towards next-generation fighter research. By the 2040s, India could be among the few nations developing sixth-generation combat aircraft, ensuring its continued air dominance in future conflicts.

The AMCA program embodies India’s aspirations for technological self-reliance and strategic autonomy in defence. While formidable challenges persist, the concerted efforts of the ADA, DRDO, and industry partners reflect a steadfast commitment to realizing this vision. As the program advances through development, testing, and production phases, it stands as a testament to India’s resolve to ascend the echelons of aerospace innovation and secure its defence future in an increasingly complex global landscape.