India’s Indigenous 5th-Generation Stealth Multirole Fighter Project

The Defence Minister lays the foundation stone for the AMCA programme facility in Andhra Pradesh. The programme is for India’s indigenous 5th-generation fighter aircraft development and defence modernisation.

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft:

Dimension	Key Details
Aircraft Type	AMCA is India’s indigenous 5th-generation medium-weight stealth multirole fighter jet.
Developer	AMCA is developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and DRDO.
Variants	AMCA variants comprise Mk1 with GE-F414 engines and Mk2 planned with indigenous engines.
Timeline	The prototype is expected by 2028–29 and induction is targeted by 2034–35.
Twin Engine	A twin-engine configuration provides higher air safety in case of engine failure.
Stealth Capability	Stealth capability minimises radar, infrared, and visual signatures to delay or prevent enemy detection and engagement.
Super Cruise	Super cruise allows sustained supersonic flight above Mach 1 without using fuel-heavy afterburners.
Other 5th-Generation Features	Other features comprise integrated avionics, AI integration, resilient networking, and secure communication.
Global Examples	Operational 5th-generation fighter jets include F-22, F-35, Sukhoi Su-57, and Chengdu J-20.
IAF Modernisation	AMCA fills capability gaps after MiG-29 and Mirage phaseout and supports restoration of IAF squadron strength.
Technological Sovereignty	AMCA reduces dependency on foreign platforms and strengthens long-term defence autonomy.
Atmanirbhar Bharat	AMCA supports indigenous defence capability and domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem development.