India Advances Fifth Generation Fighter Jet Development with AMCA Initiative

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has initiated an Expression of Interest for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), aiming to shortlist Indian companies for its development. This move is part of India's strategy to enhance its indigenous defense capabilities and strengthen the aerospace industry. The selected entities will be responsible for prototyping, flight testing, and certification of the fighter jet, with a contract duration of up to eight years. The initiative follows the recent approval of the AMCA Programme Execution Model by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, which emphasizes collaboration between private and public sectors in this significant defense project.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 18, 2025, 22:29 IST

Expression of Interest for AMCA Development

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has announced an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. This initiative aims to identify Indian companies, owned and controlled by resident citizens, that possess the technical expertise necessary for developing, prototyping, and certifying the AMCA.

According to the ADA, applicants can be a single company, a joint venture, or a consortium, provided they comply with all relevant Indian laws and regulations. Companies with a strong background in the Aerospace and Defence sectors, capable of integrating the AMCA design and possessing substantial experience in development, engineering, manufacturing, and quality management, will be considered. The selected entity must also be able to establish a manufacturing facility for mass production. The contract duration for the development, prototyping, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA is capped at eight years from the contract's effective date.

In May, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the AMCA Programme Execution Model, marking a significant advancement in India's efforts to enhance its indigenous defence capabilities and bolster the domestic aerospace sector, as stated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The MoD's announcement highlighted that this initiative is a crucial step towards strengthening India's defence capabilities and developing a robust aerospace industrial ecosystem. The ADA will implement the programme in collaboration with industry partners.

The Execution Model is designed to provide equal competitive opportunities for both private and public sectors, allowing them to bid independently, as joint ventures, or as consortia. All bidders must be Indian companies that adhere to the country's laws and regulations.