Private Sector Takes Centre Stage in India’s AMCA Stealth Fighter Programme

India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme has entered a decisive new phase, marking a historic shift in the country’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), long the backbone of India’s combat aircraft production, is no longer in contention for building the first prototypes of the fifth-generation stealth fighter. Instead, three major private-sector companies—Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and Bharat Forge—have emerged as the leading contenders to execute this critical national programme.

The move reflects a broader transformation in India’s defence policy, aimed at expanding private-sector participation in high-technology military platforms and reducing reliance on a single public-sector manufacturer. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), evaluated multiple bids and shortlisted only three firms that met stringent technical and financial benchmarks.

The Defence Secretary also indicated that the first AMCA prototype is expected to roll out in the next three to four years, with production timelines linked to successful testing and evaluation. | News18

A Strategic Break from HAL’s Longstanding Dominance

For decades, HAL has been synonymous with India’s military aviation production, manufacturing aircraft such as the Su-30MKI, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, and a range of helicopters. However, defence officials have indicated that HAL’s heavy existing production commitments—particularly for the Tejas Mk1A programme—limited its ability to take on the demanding AMCA prototype development phase.

This decision represents a strategic break from past practice. By excluding HAL from the prototype stage, the government is signalling a clear intent to create parallel aerospace manufacturing ecosystems and foster competition. Officials believe this will help accelerate development timelines, improve execution efficiency, and reduce the risks associated with dependence on a single production agency for complex combat platforms.

Programme Scale, Investment, and Development Timeline

The AMCA prototype development phase is estimated to involve an investment of around ₹15,000 crore. This phase will include the construction of five flying prototypes and one structural test airframe, along with extensive ground testing and flight trials. Defence planners have indicated that the first AMCA prototype is expected to be rolled out within the next three to four years, with the maiden flight targeted toward the late 2020s.

The Indian Air Force is expected to induct the AMCA as its primary stealth fighter from the mid-2030s. Initial fleet strength is projected at around 120 aircraft, with scope for expansion depending on operational requirements and future variants. The programme is seen as central to maintaining India’s air superiority in an increasingly contested regional security environment.

Advanced Stealth Capabilities and Engine Roadmap

The AMCA is being designed as a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter with advanced low-observable features, internal weapons bays, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare capabilities. The aircraft will integrate next-generation avionics and artificial intelligence-enabled systems, allowing it to operate as part of a highly connected battlefield environment.

For propulsion, the initial AMCA Mk-1 variant is expected to use General Electric’s F414 engines. For the more advanced AMCA Mk-2, India is pursuing a joint engine development programme with France’s Safran, in partnership with DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). This collaboration aims to deliver a higher-thrust indigenous engine with deeper technology transfer, a long-standing strategic objective for India’s aerospace sector.

Implications for India’s Defence Industrial Base

The decision to place a fifth-generation fighter aircraft programme in private hands marks a watershed moment for India’s defence manufacturing landscape. It follows earlier initiatives such as the Tata-Airbus C295 transport aircraft project and reflects the government’s broader “Atmanirbhar Bharat” push to build globally competitive domestic defence capabilities.

Defence analysts believe this shift could help create a second major fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem in India. Over time, this could ease production bottlenecks, deepen advanced aerospace skills in the private sector, and strengthen India’s long-term strategic autonomy. It may also enhance India’s potential to become a defence exporter in high-technology aviation segments.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s AMCA programme is entering a transformative phase by shifting prototype development from a public-sector monopoly to leading private aerospace players. The selection of Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen & Toubro, and Bharat Forge reflects a deliberate policy shift to diversify India’s defence manufacturing base and inject greater competition, speed, and accountability into one of the country’s most critical military projects. By moving beyond HAL’s traditional dominance, the government is laying the groundwork for parallel production ecosystems that can reduce bottlenecks, strengthen execution capacity, and modernise India’s approach to complex aerospace programmes under the broader Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.

This transition also carries long-term strategic implications for India’s air power and industrial autonomy. With significant investment, advanced stealth technologies, and a dual-track engine roadmap involving both global collaboration and indigenous development, the AMCA is positioned as a cornerstone of future air superiority. Entrusting private industry with such a high-end platform signals confidence in India’s growing private aerospace capabilities and supports the creation of a more resilient, competitive, and export-capable defence industrial base, reinforcing India’s ambition to emerge as a leading player in next-generation combat aviation.

(Sources: News18, Business Standard, India Today)