New Delhi — In a major boost to India’s defense capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has formally approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, paving the way for the country’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The AMCA, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is expected to rival global counterparts like the U.S. F-35. The project aims to enhance India’s self-reliance in critical defense technologies under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
The fighter jet will incorporate advanced stealth features, supercruise capability, and cutting-edge avionics. The government has sanctioned significant funding for the development of prototypes, with the first flight expected within the next five years.
This milestone reflects India's strategic push to modernize its air force and reduce dependency on foreign aircraft platforms.