ADA will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the development phase of the AMCA, under which companies can apply to participate.
New Delhi: In a significant development, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday gave special approval for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The move is seen as an important step towards strengthening India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. The programme will be implemented by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with industries, providing equal opportunities to both private and public sector companies.
The Execution Model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on competitive basis. They can bid either independently or as joint venture or as consortia. The entity/bidder should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country.
What is AMCA?
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet being designed for the Indian Air Force (IAF). This aircraft will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies.
Stealth Technology: Stealth technology is the ability to evade radar detection, making it difficult for enemies to track it easily.
Supercruise: The capability to fly at supersonic speeds without using an afterburner.
Advanced Sensors and Weapons: Radars, missiles, and electronic warfare systems that will make it a multi-role aircraft.
Artificial Intelligence (AI): Helps in automated decision-making and network-centric warfare.
Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the AMCA is made to provide the Indian Air Force with a world-class indigenous aircraft by 2030.
Implementation Model of the AMCA Program
The Modi government has approved a new implementation model for the development of the AMCA, which includes the following features:
ADA will execute this program in collaboration with both private and public sector companies.
Private and public companies can independently bid, or do so through joint ventures or consortia (groups of multiple companies).
All companies will be given equal opportunity, and selection will be based on competition.
ADA will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the development phase of the AMCA, under which companies can apply to participate.
This model will boost India’s aerospace industry and provide private companies like HAL, Tata, L&T, and others an opportunity to be involved in major defense projects.
Here are some of the key features of AMCA:
- AMCA will be India’s first 5th-generation fighter jet, incorporating several advanced features:
- Falls in the medium-weight category (around 25 tons), smaller than Rafale and Sukhoi but faster and more agile.
- A range of over 1,000 km and a speed exceeding Mach 1.8.
- Air-to-air, air-to-ground, and stealth missiles such as Astra and BrahMos-NG.
- Initially powered by the GE F414 engine, but later a fully indigenous AL-51 engine will be developed.
- AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously.
- Special design to reduce radar cross-section, making it stealth-capable.
