The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project represents one of India’s most ambitious defence programs, aimed at developing a cutting-edge fifth-generation multirole stealth fighter jet with indigenous capabilities. The project, spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), seeks to strengthen India’s strategic autonomy by reducing reliance on foreign combat aircraft platforms.
The AMCA is envisioned as a twin-engine, stealth-capable fighter designed for a wide spectrum of roles, including air dominance missions, ground attack operations, and advanced electronic warfare tasks.
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Its development is considered a crucial step in modernising the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet while complementing existing aircraft such as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the Rafale jets, thereby positioning India among a handful of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighter technology.
A major boost to the program came with the recent approval of the AMCA Execution Model by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This model marks a paradigm shift in India’s defence production policy, as it formally opens the fighter jet’s development program to participation from both public and private sector companies for the first time.
Traditionally, such strategic aerospace projects were restricted to public sector entities like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). By inviting private players into the fold, the government aims to leverage indigenous industrial capacity, accelerate innovation, and foster healthy competition in defence manufacturing.
The estimated financial outlay for the development phase of AMCA is pegged at ₹15,000 crore, which will include prototype construction, multi-phase flight testing, and an extensive certification process to ready the platform for operational induction.
It is in this context that Adani Defence & Aerospace has emerged as a significant private sector player willing to compete for a role in the landmark project. Confirming its participation at the Expression of Interest (EoI) stage, Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, stated that the company will be submitting its formal proposal before the EoI deadline of September 30, 2025.
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He highlighted that the AMCA project has been conceptualised as a decade-long development program, with the first prototype expected to reach induction readiness by 2034–35. Following successful development, the project is anticipated to move into a serial production phase, wherein selected industry partners will play a key role in scaling up manufacturing to meet the IAF’s operational demands.
Adani’s interest signals its intent not only to be a critical stakeholder in one of India’s most sophisticated aerospace initiatives but also to position itself as a long-term partner in the country’s defence self-reliance journey.
Strategically, the AMCA project comes at a time when India is seeking to balance its heavy dependence on imported high-end fighter jets with indigenous solutions capable of meeting future threats. Defence experts believe that, once operational, the AMCA could potentially compete with advanced aircraft such as the American F-35 in select roles, while also matching the stealth and combat capabilities of platforms developed by China and Russia.
The aircraft is expected to feature advanced stealth shaping, internal weapons carriage, state-of-the-art avionics, and artificial intelligence-assisted combat systems, aligning it with modern aerial warfare requirements.
Its ability to transition between stealth and non-stealth configurations based on mission profiles further enhances its versatility. For the IAF, which has long grappled with squadron strength challenges, the induction of the AMCA in the 2030s will provide a much-needed technological leap to address evolving regional security threats.
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The entry of private players such as Adani Defence—and potentially others—creates an ecosystem of competition and collaboration that could accelerate timelines and drive innovation. ADA has invited industry consortiums to take lead roles in critical tasks such as prototype building, avionics integration, flight control systems, stealth technology validation, and final platform certification.
By dividing responsibilities among consortium partners comprising public sector firms, defence start-ups, and large aerospace players, the Ministry of Defence expects to enhance efficiency while spreading technological know-how across India’s aerospace ecosystem. This collaborative model, if successful, could become a template for future indigenous defence projects.
Adani Defence’s participation is significant not just from a business perspective but also in terms of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives. The company has already made substantial investments in areas such as unmanned aerial systems, small arms, radar systems, and other critical defence technologies.
Leveraging these capabilities within the AMCA framework could allow it to emerge as a cornerstone of India’s expanding aerospace infrastructure. Moreover, the outcome of the current EoI process will determine which industrial consortiums move forward to play decisive roles in development, and ultimately in shaping the future of India’s advanced fighter programs.
The AMCA program embodies India’s aspirations to enter the elite club of nations with indigenous fifth-generation fighter capability. The cleared policy framework, massive projected investment, and the opening of the sector to private participation have set the stage for a new epoch in Indian defence production.
Adani Defence’s entry into the procurement race marks an important milestone, signalling the growing confidence and capability of India’s private sector defence companies to handle complex, high-technology projects.
The forthcoming months, leading up to and beyond the EoI submissions, will be pivotal in determining the contours of the industrial partnerships that will drive AMCA from concept to reality. If executed successfully, the project has the potential to redefine India’s aviation landscape, bolster national security, and contribute significantly to its broader strategic and technological ambitions.
Based On India Today Report
Agency
