India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Design Finalized: Key Features Unveiled
India has reached a significant milestone in its development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet, with the finalization of its primary design. This was confirmed by Krishna Rajendra, the AMCA Project Director, during an interview with India TV, where he detailed the aircraft's design features, stealth capabilities, and the advanced technologies it incorporates.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), part of the Ministry of Defence, has completed the paper design for the AMCA prototype, marking a crucial step in advancing India's self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The fighter jet is projected to make its debut by the end of 2027.
Rajendra has confirmed that the AMCA will be developed entirely within India, in collaboration with various DRDO labs, CSR facilities, and academic institutions. He emphasized the indigenous nature of the aircraft, stating, “We have designed this aircraft indigenously… This is a completely indigenous aircraft. At the last Aero India, we demonstrated the full-scale engineering model, highlighting both design and manufacturing capabilities in the country.”
The AMCA will feature several key advancements:
| Internal Weapon Bay: | Ability to store armaments inside the aircraft for stealth operations |
| Dual Operational Modes: | Stealth Mode (up to 1.5 tonnes of weapons) and Non-Stealth Mode (up to 5 tonnes of weapons) |
| Advanced Stealth and Defence Capabilities: | Designed to evade enemy radars and missile systems |
Among its innovative features, the AMCA will include an “electronic pilot” powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). This AI-driven co-pilot is designed for a single-seater cockpit and assists the pilot by performing tasks typically managed by a second pilot. Rajendra explained, “The electronic pilot comes with AI technologies to help the pilot make critical decisions, enhancing efficiency, situational awareness, and mission success rates.”
The AMCA's integrated stealth design, AI capabilities, and indigenous development mark a significant advancement in India's quest for cutting-edge military aviation technology.
