New Delhi: India’s ambitious plan to develop its first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet has officially entered the execution phase, marking a significant leap in the country’s aerospace and defence capabilities. The Ministry of Defence has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme — a pivotal development that pushes India closer to joining a select group of nations with indigenous next-generation fighter jet programmes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh granted formal approval on Tuesday, giving the green signal for the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to spearhead the project in coordination with Indian private sector partners. This clearance underscores the government’s growing push toward bolstering indigenous military manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) initiative.
The AMCA will serve as India’s flagship stealth aircraft — designed to feature cutting-edge systems such as sensor fusion, advanced avionics, internal weapons bays, supercruise capabilities, and low-observable airframe technologies. Once operational, it is expected to redefine India’s air superiority strategy in contested airspaces.
International Collaboration on Engine Development
While India will take the lead on most technological fronts, the jet’s engine — considered one of the most complex components — will likely be developed through a joint venture with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This collaborative approach, according to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is intended to reduce technical risks and ensure timely delivery.
“We learnt a lot from the Kaveri engine, but that was fourth-gen. Now we’re aiming for sixth-gen engine tech,” said Kamat. Discussions with international partners are underway.
Directed Energy Weapons: A Parallel Leap in Futuristic Warfare
In a parallel breakthrough, India has successfully tested a 30-kilowatt directed energy weapon (DEW) — a significant stride in emerging warfare technologies. Developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), the Mk-II(A) laser system successfully neutralised multiple drones during trials at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool.
With this achievement, India joins the elite ranks of nations — including the United States, Russia, and China — that have demonstrated high-energy laser weapon capabilities. DRDO is also advancing work on microwave and electromagnetic pulse-based systems, expanding India’s defence playbook to include next-gen systems reminiscent of “Star Wars”-style warfare.
AMCA: India’s Stealth Answer to Global Fifth-Gen Air Power
The AMCA is envisioned as a multirole combat aircraft, offering both air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities while maintaining a high level of stealth. The jet’s development reflects not only an evolution in Indian airpower but also the maturing of its military-industrial ecosystem.
DRDO has committed to delivering the platform by 2035 — a challenging but not unrealistic goal, given that other fifth-generation platforms like the F-35 Lightning II and China’s J-20 took over a decade to move from design to induction.
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“This journey began only in 2024, when the Cabinet Committee on Security sanctioned the project,” DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat had previously said. “It will take ten years, and we have committed to delivering the platform by 2035.”
Kamat further highlighted the strategic collaboration underway: “The synergy between DRDO labs, industry, and academia in this programme is setting the tone for what the future of warfare will look like.”
A New Era for Indian Defence Manufacturing
The simultaneous progression of the AMCA programme and laser weapon technology represents a defining moment for India’s defence industry. With projects like VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defence), MPATGM (Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile), and LCA Mk II also nearing critical milestones, the coming decade could reshape India’s status as a self-reliant defence power.
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For analysts and global observers, the success of the AMCA programme will be a crucial benchmark — not just for India’s technological capacity, but for its larger strategic goal of autonomy in aerial combat systems. Whether the 2035 target is met or not, India’s aerospace ambition has clearly taken flight.
