New Delhi, May 27 (PTI) — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has greenlit the "execution model" for a major initiative to indigenously develop a fifth-generation, deep penetration advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) for the Indian Air Force. The AMCA project aims to create a medium-weight fighter jet with advanced stealth features, significantly enhancing India's air power capabilities.
The Defence Ministry announced on Tuesday that Singh has given the go-ahead for the "Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model." This move is a crucial push for boosting India's indigenous defence capabilities and strengthening its domestic aerospace industry.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will oversee the programme, executing it through collaborative efforts with industry partners. The ministry highlighted that the "Execution Model" ensures fair opportunities for both private and public sectors. They are encouraged to bid either independently, as joint ventures, or as consortia, provided they are Indian companies compliant with national laws and regulations.
This step is pivotal in leveraging local expertise, capability, and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, marking a significant milestone towards 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in the aerospace sector. The Cabinet Committee on Security, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had granted in-principle approval to the fighter jet programme last year.
The initial development cost of the project is estimated at around Rs 15,000 crore. The Indian Air Force is strongly advocating for the AMCA project to meet its long-term strategic needs. India's confidence in the AMCA development has grown significantly following the successful creation of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
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