India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model, which will provide an opportunity for Indian private sector industry to participate in the programme. 

This marks a major shift for the nation, which has historically depended on the state-owned airframer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture of military fighter jets and transport aircraft. As per an MoD spokesperson, “the Execution Model approach provides equal opportunities to both private and public sector on competitive basis.”

Firms will be allowed to bid either independently or as joint venture or as consortia. However, it is expected that HAL will remain the frontrunner for the programme, as it is the only aerospace firm in the country with experience in license production of fighter aircraft such as the MiG-21, MiG-27, Sepecat JAGUAR and the Sukhoi SU-30 MKI.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is expected to shortly issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the AMCA Development Phase.

India’s Government formally approved the AMCA programme in April 2024 at a cost of US$1.92 billion. The decade long developmental effort is expected to result in a flying prototype in 2029 and ready for induction in 2035. The Indian air force has indicated that it could acquire up to 120 aircraft.

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