ADA Extends Bid Deadline for AMCA Fighter Development Program
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), operating under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has adjusted the deadline for submitting bids related to the Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Full-Scale Engineering Development (FSED) of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The initial deadline of August 16, 2025, has been postponed to August 31, 2025, with submissions due by 5:00 PM.
This change is outlined in the revised EoI document (ADA/AMCA/FSED/EOI/01-2025), issued on June 18, 2025, which includes modifications to Sections 2.1, 2.2, 6, and related annexures. These updates are intended to refine the scope, eligibility criteria, and collaborative frameworks for India's fifth-generation stealth fighter project.
The AMCA initiative is set to produce a twin-engine, 25-tonne, stealth multirole fighter for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with deployment anticipated in the early 2030s. Designed to rival China's J-20 and J-31 stealth fighters, the AMCA will offer supercruise capability, reduced radar visibility, integrated sensor fusion, and compatibility with unmanned systems. The Mk1 model will be powered by GE F414 engines (98 kN thrust), while the Mk2 variant will feature a new 110 kN indigenous engine developed in collaboration with foreign partners, potentially including France’s Safran.
In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) allocated ₹15,000 crore for the project's initial phase, which involves creating five prototypes by 2029, with production expected to commence in 2032. The IAF plans to induct between 120 and 150 aircraft to replace its Mirage 2000 and Jaguar fleets. The overall cost of the project is projected to be ₹1.2 lakh crore, marking it as one of India's most ambitious defense initiatives.
The EoI seeks participation from the Indian private sector for the FSED phase, encompassing design finalization, prototype fabrication, testing, and preparation for mass production. Interest from the industry is reportedly high, with major companies like Tata Advanced Systems, HAL, Bharat Forge, and L&T anticipated to be contenders. Sources indicate that the deadline was extended after requests from the industry for additional time to align with the revised project scope.
The amendments to the EoI address the scope of work, eligibility criteria, commercial terms, and annexures, focusing on clarifying technical deliverables, optimizing partnerships, and improving technology transfer and risk-sharing frameworks. Significant updates likely pertain to the integration of stealth coatings, DRDO's Uttam AESA radar, and advanced avionics from LRDE.
The AMCA program, however, faces hurdles in engine development, sensor fusion, and stealth technology. The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which encountered challenges with the Kaveri engine, is now seeking international collaboration to fulfill the AMCA's engine requirements. Experiences from the lengthy Tejas development cycle are also being integrated into the new program structure.
The extension of the EoI deadline and the related amendments reflect a strategic effort to attract capable private partners and ensure the timely delivery of India’s next-generation fighter aircraft.
