Fifth Generation Advanced Medium Combat Fighter To Have Two Production Lines; First Prototype Further Delayed To 2028

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) wants to create two production lines for India's first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

According to a report by ANI, in a recent review meeting held by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials, a decision was made to have two development-cum-production partners (DcPPs) — one public (most likely HAL) and one private for the project.

DRDO will transfer all technologies developed for AMCA to these partners, and they will most likely manufacture the jet in separate production lines.

The AMCA project, however, has now seen its timeline slip further by almost three to four years, with the prototype now expected to take its first flight only in 2028, from the earlier anticipated timeline of 2024-25.

Reportedly, these delays are due to difficulties in deciding the production partners for the jet and the pending negotiations with American jet engine maker General Electric (GE) to manufacture its GE F-414 engine in India.

The GE F-414 jet engine will power the initial 40-odd AMCA Mk-1 jets, with an entirely new high-thrust engine powering the latest and more advanced jet variant — AMCA Mk-2.'

Initially, it was said that a special purpose vehicle (SPV) would manage the production of the jet with a private company in charge of the project.

However, this plan has run into problems.

According to former IAF Chief ACM RKS Bhadauria, discussions with the private sector regarding the SPV did not go well, causing the plan to stall. As a result, the MoD began exploring alternative options, leading to the creation of the DcPP arrangement.

The jet's weight will increase from 25 to 27 tonnes, allowing it to carry a greater number and weight of conventional weapons in its internal weapons bay.