India will finally develop its own ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), as the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) cleared the nearly two-decade-old project on Thursday. Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will oversee the project, which involves designing and developing twin-engine aircraft prototypes. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and private companies will be responsible for the manufacturing process. The AMCA aims to elevate India into an exclusive category of nations that have successfully developed fifth-generation fighters. Only the United States (F/A-22 Raptors), Russia (SU 57), and China (Chengdu J-20) have achieved this milestone in advanced jet development. Turkey’s 5th-Gen fighter called Kaan also made it.
The project has awaited CCS approval for a year and a half, with the preliminary design review completed in 2022. As per the schedule, the aircraft will take wings from the hangar within four years after approval. Subsequently, it is expected to undertake its inaugural flight within a year. The AMCA Mk1 will utilize the existing 90kN class engine (GE 414 engines from the US), while the AMCA Mk2 will be equipped with a more potent 110kN engine developed domestically by GTRE.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) envisions the acquisition of seven squadrons – 126 jets, each comprising 18 planes, of the AMCA. Out of these, two squadrons of the AMCA will be marked 1, with the remaining squadrons would be Mark 2. The Mark 2 variant will be propelled by newly developed indigenous engines, with contenders including Safran of France, GE of the US, and Rolls Royce of the UK. Capable of achieving supersonic cruise speeds, the AMCA is designed to feature state-of-the-art avionics, an indigenous AESA radar, and the versatility to carry weapons internally and externally.
HAL is expected to commence actual production of the AMCA at least ten years after completing the development and flight-testing of prototypes. According to a source within the Defence Ministry, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will initiate the induction of these aircraft after 2035.
In India, the AMCAs will follow the phased induction of Tejas Mark-1A and Mark-2 jets. These aircraft are pivotal for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently faces the challenge of maintaining only 31 fighter squadrons despite the authorisation for 42.5 squadrons to address the China-Pakistan threat.
According to an insider, assuming everything unfolds as scheduled, the 180 Tejas Mark-1A jet deliveries are expected to be completed by around 2032. Subsequently, the delivery of Tejas Mark-2 will kick off, followed by the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). HAL will be required to increase its production rate to guarantee the punctual delivery of these aircraft.
CCS Clears 34 ALH Dhruv Helicopters
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also approved the acquisition of an additional 34 Dhruv twin-engine advanced light helicopters (ALH) Mark-III from Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), allocating over Rs 8,000 crore for the purchase. Of these, 25 are designated for the Army, while nine are for the Coast Guard. This procurement will supplement the existing fleet of approximately 300 helicopters in the 5.5-tonne class already inducted by the armed forces.
Ravi Shankar
