India's AMCA Program: Industry Partners to Be Finalized by Mid-2026

The Ministry of Defence and the Aeronautical Development Agency are poised to choose the industry partners for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project by mid-2026. This selection is a crucial milestone in the nation’s effort to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet.
The AMCA project is designed to create India's first stealth multi-role fighter, capable of handling air superiority, ground strikes, electronic warfare, and enemy air defense suppression. The aim is to begin serial production by 2035. Plans include the development of five prototypes, with the first expected by late 2026 or early 2027, and the inaugural flight projected for 2028. Certification is anticipated by 2032, leading to operational induction by 2034.
In response to ADA’s Expression of Interest, seven Indian companies and consortia have submitted bids. These include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Larsen & Toubro, TATA Advanced Systems Ltd, Adani Defence and Aerospace, Kalyani Strategic Systems, and a consortium led by BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd in collaboration with Goodluck India Ltd and Axiscades Technologies. The bidders have proposed strategic partnerships to leverage expertise in areas such as airframe manufacturing, avionics, propulsion, and systems integration.
A high-level committee, chaired by former DRDO missile scientist A. Sivathanu Pillai, is currently assessing the bids. The evaluation focuses on technical competence, financial soundness, and the ability to meet stringent timelines. The selected consortia will be tasked with co-developing the AMCA prototypes, managing flight tests, and preparing for serial production.
The AMCA initiative marks a significant shift in India’s aerospace sector, transitioning from a predominantly state-driven manufacturing paradigm to a consortium-based model with substantial private sector participation. This initiative is expected to enhance domestic capabilities, decrease reliance on imports, and strategically position India in the global arena of fifth-generation fighters.
The announcement of the selected partners by mid-2026 will be a pivotal moment for India’s next-generation stealth fighter program, carrying considerable strategic and industrial consequences for the nation's defense sector.