India Issues RFP for Indigenous Fifth-Generation AMCA Fighter Aircraft Program

The Ministry of Defence in India has moved forward with its ambitious plan for a fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to three selected industry bidders. This step signifies a significant advancement in enhancing the nation's domestic aerospace and defense capabilities.

According to defense sources, the bidders chosen for this project include partnerships between Larsen and Toubro–Bharat Electronics Limited, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, and Bharat Forge–BEML.

Last year, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh gave his approval for the AMCA programme, which is to be carried out by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The initiative follows an industry partnership model designed to provide equal opportunities for both public and private sectors on a competitive basis.

An estimated budget of ₹15,000 crore has been allocated for the AMCA programme, making it one of the most ambitious indigenous military aviation projects in India.

To expedite the programme, Rajnath Singh and N Chandrababu Naidu recently laid the foundation stone for the Core Integration & Flight Testing Centre in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, on May 15, 2026.

This new facility, being developed at a cost of nearly ₹2,000 crore, will become a key infrastructure center for the development, integration, and testing of the AMCA and future indigenous aerospace platforms.

Officials have expressed that this project aims to place India among the limited number of countries capable of designing and producing advanced stealth fighter aircraft.

A full-scale model of the AMCA was presented at Aero India 2025, highlighting its advanced features such as stealth design, artificial intelligence integration, and next-generation combat capabilities.

Designed for the Indian Air Force by the Aeronautical Development Agency, the aircraft is expected to feature AI-enabled systems to enhance operational efficiency, situational awareness, and autonomous combat support functions.

Defense officials have pointed out that the AMCA project aligns with India’s broader “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision, aiming to significantly enhance indigenous aerospace manufacturing, defense technology development, and strategic self-reliance in advanced combat aviation.