AMCA Programme: On 27 May 2025, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This information was shared by the office of the Ministry of Defense. This decision is being considered a major step towards strengthening India’s indigenous defense capabilities. Its aim is to promote a strong domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem. Under this program, both government and private companies will be given equal opportunity so that both sectors can develop on the basis of competition. This will not only increase self-reliance in the defense sector but will also create new employment and investment opportunities.
Fifth generation fighter aircraft will be made in India itself
AMCA i.e. Medium Combat Aircraft will be a fifth generation fighter aircraft which will be completely designed and manufactured in India. The purpose of this aircraft is to provide fighter jets equipped with stealth, supersonic and multirole capabilities to the Indian Air Force. To take this project forward, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will work through industry partnerships. This program will be an important milestone towards self-reliance in the Indian aerospace sector. Now India will be able to stand in the queue of countries that have their own fifth generation technology. This will reduce dependence on foreign weapons and will develop technology within the country.
India’s big step amid the moves of Pakistan and China
This decision has been taken at a time when Pakistan is buying fifth generation fighter aircraft from China and India is under pressure to buy from America or Russia. But India has decided that it will create its own strength. The Ministry of Defense said in its statement that both private and public sectors will be given equal opportunities on a competitive basis in the AMCA program. Any company can bid independently or as a joint venture or consortium. But the condition is that this unit should be Indian and follow the laws of the country. This model will give Indian companies an opportunity to work in global level technology and will make the country strategically strong.
Development will be done at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore
The initial cost of the AMCA project has been estimated to be around Rs 15,000 crore. The Indian Air Force has emphasized on this project in view of its long-term needs. Last year, the Cabinet Security Committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave in-principle approval to this fighter aircraft program. Currently, only America, Russia and China have fifth generation fighter jets in the world. But now India is moving rapidly towards becoming self-reliant in this technology. After developing the light fighter aircraft, India’s confidence has increased a lot and now through AMCA, India is taking steps towards becoming a global power in the aerospace sector. In the coming time, this project will not only strengthen the defense sector but the youth of the country will also get a golden opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies.
