NEW DELHI: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which aims to develop an indigenously built fifth-generation stealth fighter jet capable of evading radar detection. Currently, only the United States (F-22, F-35) and China (J-20, J-35) possess such fifth-generation stealth aircraft.

As part of India’s push for self-reliance in the aerospace sector, the responsibility for developing the indigenous AMCA prototype has been entrusted to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), based in Bengaluru. The public sector enterprise Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is currently focused on manufacturing the Tejas light combat aircraft, will not be involved in the AMCA production. Instead, tenders will be invited from other public and private sector firms. The ADA was also behind the development of the Tejas. The Kaveri engine used in Tejas—a fourth-generation engine—will be upgraded for stealth applications with foreign assistance.

• First stealth aircraft expected by 2035
• Initial development cost estimated at Rs 15,000 crore
• Approved earlier by the Cabinet Committee on Security for missions such as air superiority, ground attack, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD), and electronic warfare (EW).

Capable of flying faster than speed of sound

1. The AMCA is a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet with a single seat and twin engines. Capable of flying faster than the speed of sound, it can take off quickly in all weather conditions. The aircraft weighs approximately 25 tons and can fly at an altitude of 55,000 feet. It features dedicated bays for carrying missiles and bombs, along with state-of-the-art electronic systems.

2. It can avoid detection by conventional radar as it will not emit infrared, light, heat, sound, or radio frequencies, making it highly stealthy.

Chinese stealth offer to Pakistan
In response to India’s growing aerial dominance, particularly during Operation Sindoor, China has offered its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Shenyang J-35, to Pakistan. The aircraft may be sold at a relatively low cost. China is also developing sixth-generation aircraft like the J-36, modernising its air force while supporting Pakistan. The J-10, a modern Chinese fighter, is already in use by the Pakistani Air Force.