Key points
- AMCA is envisioned as an indigenous fifth-generation fighter plane
- Trump and Russia have offered India their most advanced jets
- Indian opposition parties have criticised F-35 offer from Trump
ISLAMABAD: India has approved the programme execution of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is envisioned as an indigenous fifth-generation fighter plane.
The Indian Ministry of Defence made the announcement in a statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will implement the AMCA programme execution model.
In a major push for #AatmanirbharBharat in defence, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has approved the Execution Model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (#AMCA) programme. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will lead the project in partnership with Indian industry.… pic.twitter.com/CpBNGzkKcA
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 27, 2025
“In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is set to execute the programme through Industry partnership,” the ministry said.
The First Post reported that the Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had approved the project in March 2024.
Publicly slammed
In the past, India’s co-development of a fifth-generation fighter with Russia did not progress quite as smoothly as the top brass in the Indian Air Force (IAF) had hoped, according to Business Insider.
Instead, the IAF publicly slammed the development of the next-generation fighter.
According to the Business Standard, the IAF has lambasted the programme over a series of design flaws.
Capabilities
According to the Economic Times, the AMCA is expected to be a stealth-heavy, multirole platform incorporating cutting-edge technologies such as sensor fusion, internal weapons bays, advanced avionics, and supercruise capability.
Once operational, it will significantly enhance India’s air superiority posture, especially in contested environments, it said.
Criticism
US President Donald Trump offered to sell F-35 fighters to the country earlier this year.
India’s opposition parties criticised Donald Trump’s offer to sell F-35 fighters to the country, citing their high costs.
According to Reuters, Russia has discussed producing its most advanced jets locally in line with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goals.
The offer from both US and India’s long-time defence partner Russia came at a time when the Indian Air Force’s squadrons have fallen to 31 from an approved strength of 42.
