Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA): India’s Stealth Fighter of the Future

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project. Designed to meet future combat needs, AMCA is a symbol of India’s push towards self-reliance in defence technology, with a prototype expected by 2028–29.

Key Features

AMCA is a 25-tonne, twin-engine multirole fighter with advanced stealth capabilities, making it difficult for enemy radar to detect. It will carry weapons internally and have a large 6.5-tonne fuel tank. The Mk1 variant will use the US-made GE414 engine, while the Mk2 will use a 110–120 kilonewton engine co-developed with France’s Safran.

Strategic Importance

AMCA will strengthen India’s air power, especially as older aircraft like the MiG-21 and Jaguar are phased out. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already shown interest in acquiring seven squadrons. The aircraft will help India join a select group of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighters.

Indigenisation and Global Partnerships

The project, led by DRDO’s ADA and manufactured by HAL, will include significant private sector involvement. India’s partnership with France’s Safran to co-develop engines marks a major step in reducing reliance on imports and boosting domestic capabilities.

Conclusion

The AMCA is not just a fighter jet—it represents India’s technological advancement and strategic strength. As India moves towards building a global defence hub, AMCA will play a key role in enhancing national security and promoting defence exports, contributing to the vision of *Aatmanirbhar Bharat* (self-reliant India).