ADA Invites Bids for Indigenous Fifth-Generation Stealth Fighter Development
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has made a notable advancement in India's defense technology by issuing an Expression of Interest (EoI) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, which involves developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. This initiative underscores a renewed effort to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force and Navy by integrating cutting-edge indigenous technology amidst escalating global security threats.
Originally conceived in 2010, the AMCA project has experienced delays but is now progressing under a newly sanctioned execution framework by the Ministry of Defence. A pre-bid meeting is planned for July 4, 2025, and bids will be accepted starting August 18, 2025. This schedule reveals a strategic transition toward leveraging private sector expertise, moving away from the traditional dependency on public sector players like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Eligibility to submit bids is restricted to Indian companies owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens that possess the necessary technical expertise. Bidders can be independent entities, joint ventures, or consortia that adhere to Indian laws and regulations. Priority will be given to esteemed Indian companies with experience in the aerospace and defense industries capable of assimilating the AMCA design, and that have proven competencies in development, engineering, manufacturing, integration, testing, quality assurance, and customer support.
The chosen entity must also be capable of establishing a dedicated manufacturing facility for series production. The development contract, which includes prototyping, flight testing, and certification, is confined to an eight-year period from the effective date. Extensions or delayed submissions will not be considered, and incomplete or insufficiently detailed proposals will be dismissed without explanation. Additionally, meeting the EoI criteria does not guarantee shortlisting.
The AMCA is designed as a twin-engine, all-weather, multirole stealth fighter, incorporating advanced stealth and combat capabilities to serve as a domestic counterpart to global platforms like the F-35. A significant aspect of the project is India’s ongoing collaboration with France’s Safran to develop a high-thrust engine.
To ensure effective implementation, a high-level committee led by the Defence Secretary, along with representatives from ADA and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is managing the process from design to deployment. A comprehensive report was submitted in April 2025 to streamline timelines and ensure budget compliance. With prototype costs projected at ₹1,000 crore each, any budget overruns must be directly reported to the Cabinet Committee on Security, highlighting the project's strategic importance.
The AMCA initiative represents a crucial turning point for India’s defense industry, combining domestic innovation with selective international partnerships to enhance national security and technological independence.
