The Ministry of Defence is significantly involving the private sector in the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. This collaboration is essential for meeting the project timeline, with the initial prototype expected by 2028-29, according to official sources.
Key Points in Today’s Article:
- Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
- Features and Significance of AMCA
Fifth-Generation Fighter Jets:
These advanced aircraft are designed for various missions, including air-to-air combat and ground attacks. They feature
sleek surfaces, specially designed exhaust nozzles, and engines integrated into the aircraft body to reduce heat signatures.
Advanced radars detect the aircraft’s emissions. Currently, only a few countries, including the USA (F-22 Raptor, F-35A
Lightning II), China (J-20 Mighty Dragon), and Russia (Sukhoi Su-57), possess such technology.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA):
Overview: AMCA is India’s fifth-generation multirole fighte
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jet, set to be larger than other fighters in the Indian Air Force
(IAF). The development places India among a select group of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighter capabilities.
Key Organizations: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) is the lead agency for the design, while state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will handle
manufacturing.
Key Features:
- Stealth: The 25-tonne, twin-engine aircraft will incorporate advanced stealth features to evade enemy radar.
- Fuel & Weapons: It will have a large, concealed internal fuel tank with a 6.5-tonne capacity and an internal weapons bay
for various weapons, including indigenous ones. - Engine: The AMCA Mk1 will be powered by the US-built GE414 engine (90 kilonewtons), while the AMCA Mk2 will have a
more powerful 110kN engine, developed indigenously by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in
collaboration with a foreign defense major.
Significance of AMCA:
- Indigenous Fifth-Generation Fighter: The AMCA represents India’s foray into fifth-generation fighter aircraft, with the
indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas being a 4.5-generation multirole aircraft. - Stealth Features: Distinguishing the AMCA from fourth-generation aircraft are its stealth capabilities, including a low
electromagnetic signature, powerful sensors, and advanced weapons systems to detect and engage enemy aircraft. - Higher Utilization and Maintenance Efficiency: The AMCA will feature a comprehensive Integrated Vehicle Health
Management (IVHM) system to monitor structural components and assess aircraft condition in real-time, ensuring higher
utilization rates and reduced maintenance periods. - Addressing IAF’s Needs: With the IAF’s current strength at around 30 fighter squadrons against a sanctioned 42, and
further reductions anticipated, the IAF requires seven AMCA squadrons initially. - Strategic Importance: China’s development and deployment of fifth-generation fighter jets, such as the J-20 FGFA in Tibet,
underscore the strategic necessity of the AMCA for India. - Approval and Development Phases: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) sanctioned the AMCA project in March
2024, aiming to develop a 25-tonne twin-engine stealth aircraft with advanced features. The development will occur in two
phases:
MK1: Featuring the General Electric F414 engine.
MK2: Equipped with a more powerful engine, planned to be co-developed with a foreign partner