Why in the News?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Programme.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About AMCA (Background, Features, Capabilities, Significance, Global Comparison, Challenges, etc.)

Indigenous Fifth-Generation Fighter Project Gets Green Light

• In a strategic boost to India’s self-reliant defence vision, the Ministry of Defence has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
• This decision marks a defining moment in India’s efforts to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet capable of meeting future warfare requirements and matching global standards in air combat technology.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), in collaboration with private industry partners, will spearhead the development of AMCA, a stealth-heavy, multi-role aircraft.
• The plan is to produce five prototypes under a budget exceeding 15,000 crore.
• The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had approved the full-scale engineering development in 2024, with a projected delivery target of 2035.

Features and Capabilities of AMCA

• The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, 25-tonne aircraft equipped with advanced stealth characteristics, including internal weapons bays, sensor fusion, and super cruise capability.
• These features are designed to significantly reduce radar visibility, allowing the aircraft to engage in deep-penetration missions and precision strikes with minimal detection.
• Key technological highlights of the AMCA include:
  • Internal Fuel Capacity: 6.5 tonnes
  • Electronic Pilot: AI-assisted decision-making system
  • Integrated Vehicle Health Management: Predictive maintenance for reduced downtime
  • Net-centric Warfare Suite: Real-time combat coordination, including seamless integration with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
  • Weapon Load: Internal bay capable of carrying 1,500 kg, including four long-range air-to-air missiles and precision-guided munitions
• The AMCA's features put it in the same league as advanced fifth-generation fighters like the F-35 Lightning II (USA), Sukhoi Su-57 (Russia), and Chengdu J-20 (China).
• These aircraft emphasize stealth, multi-role capabilities, and network-enabled warfare.

Strategic Significance and Global Comparison

• The AMCA project aligns with India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, aimed at strengthening indigenous defence production.
• By developing a fifth-generation stealth platform, India joins an elite group of nations with cutting-edge aerial combat capabilities.
• Unlike fourth-generation fighters or India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variants, AMCA will possess:
  • Low Electromagnetic Signature
  • High Stealth Index
  • Enhanced Avionics and Situational Awareness
• Comparative platforms like the F-35 offer stealth and combat capabilities with internal fuel capacities exceeding 18,000 pounds and payloads of up to 18,000 pounds, while Russia’s Su-57 boasts supersonic speeds and high manoeuvrability.
• The AMCA, though smaller in payload and size, promises comparable stealth and digital integration tailored to Indian defence needs.

Challenges Ahead: Engine Development and Timeline

• A critical challenge in the AMCA programme lies in developing an appropriate engine.
• The current plan involves a joint venture with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to develop a next-gen engine that meets thrust, efficiency, and stealth requirements.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has committed to delivering the first operational AMCA unit by 2035, which marks a ten-year development cycle starting from its sanction in 2024.
• India’s ambitious aerospace roadmap also includes other key indigenous defence systems, such as:
  • LCA Mk II
  • Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD)
  • Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)

Generational Leap in Air Warfare Capability

• The AMCA programme represents a transformative leap for India’s air power.
• The shift from legacy 3rd and 4th generation platforms, like the MiG-21, Mirage 2000, and even the Tejas Mk1, towards a fifth-generation stealth fighter embodies the evolution of India’s defence doctrine into one that prioritizes technology superiority, survivability, and force multiplication.
• Each successive generation of fighter jets, from basic jet propulsion in Gen-1 to radar integration in Gen-2, multi-role capabilities in Gen-3, and sensor fusion in Gen-5, reflects the changing nature of aerial warfare.
• AMCA’s induction will elevate India’s operational readiness across multiple theatres, including both land and maritime domains.