India’s Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s fifth-generation fighter jet. The project received 150 trillion rupees (U.S. $1.8 billion) for full-scale design and development, flight testing, and certification, led by the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
Krishna Rajendra, the AMCA project director, expects five prototypes and a maiden flight before the end of 2028. The Indian Air Force aims for seven squadrons of these stealthy fighters by 2035, with final operational clearance expected by 2040 or beyond. The first two squadrons will have Mk-1 aircraft, while the next five will receive the more advanced AMCA Mk-2 with bigger engines.
Development of the AMCA started in 2008, with its design finalized in 2022. India’s history of domestic fighter programs, like the Tejas fighter, suggests potential delays. The AMCA is crucial for addressing India’s limited squadrons and countering Chinese aggression.
