New Delhi: Seven of India’s leading defence firms, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Adani Defence and Tata Advanced Systems, have submitted bids to participate in the country’s most ambitious fighter aircraft programme, the Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The Ministry of Defence is currently reviewing the proposals for what is being described as India’s largest military research and development initiative to date.
A high-powered committee, chaired by former DRDO missile scientist A. Sivathanu Pillai, will assess both technical and commercial parameters before recommending companies for prototype development. Other contenders in the race include Kalyani Strategic Systems.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which issued an expression of interest in June, has set stringent eligibility criteria for bidders. Companies must not only have the ability to absorb AMCA’s design but also demonstrate proven expertise in aircraft development, manufacturing, systems integration, and flight testing.
The AMCA is envisioned as a fifth-generation stealth fighter, integrating advanced features such as artificial intelligence-driven systems, unmanned teaming capabilities, and enhanced long-range strike and targeting. The government has earmarked Rs 15,000 crore for prototype development, with the final contract, expected after successful trials, estimated to run into several lakh crore rupees.
The first production lot will comprise 120 aircraft, with deliveries aimed for 2035. Future iterations will include upgraded variants, positioning the AMCA as the cornerstone of India’s air power well into the 2040s.
By pitting private sector companies against state-owned HAL, the initiative signals a significant policy shift towards competitive defence manufacturing. Officials say the model is designed to strengthen domestic capabilities, reduce dependence on imported platforms and scale up India’s aerospace ecosystem in line with long-term strategic needs.
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