Mission AMCA: India Seeks Private Sector Partners for Fifth-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet

The state-run Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has invited Indian companies to develop the fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

The Expressions of Interest (EOI), released on Wednesday, is aimed at shortlisting Indian-owned and controlled entities capable of executing the AMCA programme under Indian laws. It has invited experienced Indian companies to take up the development, prototyping, flight testing and certification of the AMCA.

Applicants may be single companies, joint ventures, or consortia, and must possess prior expertise in aerospace design, development, integration, and quality assurance. The deadline for EOI submission is August 16.

“Reputed Indian companies experienced in aerospace and defence sector with capability to absorb the design of AMCA and have adequate experience in the field of development & engineering, manufacturing, equipping, integration, testing, quality management, customer support etc will be shortlisted,” it said.

The Ministry of Defence has revealed its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of AMCA on May 27. It also announced that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country’s most significant military projects.

Currently, ADA's key products include LCA Air Force Mark-1, LCA Air Force Mark-1A and LCA Air Force Mark-2.

The recent development of industry partnership came at a crucial point where state-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the sole manufacturer of fighter planes, was believed to be the frontrunner for the project.

A pre-EOI meeting will be organised in the first week of July 2025 to provide an opportunity to seek clarification regarding the EOI. The EOI document is priced at ₹1,00,000, which is non-refundable.

The first prototype of the stealth fighter is expected to make its maiden flight in 2029, and AMCA’s development is likely to be completed by 2034 before it goes into production a year later.

Earlier this year, the defence ministry has established a high-level committee to optimise the production of indigenous Light Combat Aircrafts (LCAs) and expand the private sector's involvement in manufacturing fighter jets.