India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft To Have Significant Private Sector Involvement; First Prototype To Be Ready By 2028-29

India is significantly increasing private sector involvement in the development and production of the fifth-generation fighter jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

According to reports, to ensure that the manufacturing and delivery timelines of the AMCA are on track, the private sector will be involved in the project majorly and the government will decide on the model in the next six months.

A senior officer confirmed, saying, “We have to decide on a model for private sector involvement. A model is expected to be worked out in the next six months.”

It is reported that India is going for a model where the private sector will have a significant share in the production as well as the development of AMCA so that the monopoly of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India’s aviation sector is reduced.

Moreover, the jet’s prototype will be ready by 2028-29 as its design is ready, and the actual jet is expected to go into production by 2032-33.

Just this March, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave the sanction for designing this next-generation jet, approving funds worth Rs 15,000 crore.

The plan includes constructing five prototypes.

The AMCA is supposed to be a 25-tonne fighter with a 6.5-tonne weapons payload. It will have internal weapons bays, diverterless supersonic intake (DSI), and an S-shaped intake to make the jet stealthier.

The jet will also be able to supercruise at speeds above Mach 1.5 with a substantial payload.

The first phase of the project, AMCA Mk-1, which will include two squadrons, will fly with the American General Electric GE F-414 engine.

The second phase, AMCA Mk-2, will use newer 110-KN thrust rating jet engines that will allow the jet to supercruise.