&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Indian govt approves plan for indigenous 5th-generation stealth fighter jet as China arms Pakistan")
In a bid to strengthen India’s aerial combat prowess further and boost indigenous defence production, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved the “execution model” for implementing a major indigenous project to develop India’s fifth-generation, stealth fighter jet—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for the Indian Air Force.
Only a few countries—the United States, Russia, and China—have fifth-generation fighter aircraft such as the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and Su-57.
The Defence Ministry announced in a statement on Tuesday that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given his nod to the AMCA Programme Execution Model.
“In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model,” the ministry said.
India has been pursuing the ambitious AMCA project to develop a medium-weight, deep-penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to enhance its aerial combat capabilities.
AMCA and Tejas LCA to form backbone of the IAF
Trending Stories
)
Emmys 2026: Matthew Rhys wins Best Actor twice, sets historic 78-year record
)
3 Italians fly from Delhi to Munich without immigration clearance; Air India gets notice on major security lapse
)
Did India risk its US trade deal despite softer stance at BRICS?
)
Pakistan puts Pak Rs 70 lakh bounty on UN terrorist Masood Azhar; move draws skepticism in Delhi
)
‘US ensuring global energy supplies’: Trump demands reimbursement for securing Strait of Hormuz
)
'Huge destructive power': North Korea calls its latest missile launches 'live-fire drill' even as US dismisses 'immediate threat'
)
‘Let’s go’: Newly declassified videos show dramatic rescue of US Air Force officers downed in Iran
)
Ukraine strikes Syzran Oil Refinery deep inside Russia, fires erupt
)
Emmy Awards 2026: Widow's Bay and The Pitt win in lead categories- check out the complete list of winners
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why European Meteor missiles use ramjet engines compared to standard US solid rockets
)
Iran, India agree to deepen humanitarian and political ties, President Pezeshkian says
)
‘Want to reset ties with India, have engagement based on mutual interests,’ says Bangladesh minister
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Emmys 2026 Red Carpet: Zendaya, Nicole Kidman and Julia Garner lead the glamour peak
)
Turkish Airlines plane flies through a storm three times, triggering severe turbulence
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Chinese PL-15 air-to-air missiles use dual-pulse motors compared to European interceptors
)
What is Hyrox, in news for athlete who soiled herself, but kept running and using common equipment?
)
Russia proposes to build 360 kmph Ivolga FG trains in India: What happened on sidelines of BRICS
)
800 million years old - Scientists discover 'fingerprints' of supercontinent Gondwana in ancient rocks
)
China discovers vast gold and silver 'mine' in the Pacific with unheard-of deposits
)
Plane carrying prominent figure crashes at Libya’s Misrata airport: Report
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (September 14-20, 2026): Lust Stories 3, Waiting Hai, Irumudi- 5 new titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
Sent home midway from UK tour, Pakistan's Salman Agha hits 300* in domestic return
)
Who is Kalyan Bainsla, accused in the Gurugram hit-and-run case involving woman biker?
)
Nigerian Navy seizes 10,000 litres of suspected illegal fuel in Rivers State crackdown
)
Saudi Arabia discovers 110 million tonnes of Uranium-rich ore in Madinah region
)
Dodgers beat Reds for playoff berth in bid for third consecutive World Series
)
Ecstasy tablets are rage in 'drug haven' Libya | Gravitas
)
'Now Trump is copying us': Shivakumar links US $5,000 plan to Congress guarantees
)
Video of Pakistani lawmaker struggling to read English tribute to Jinnah goes viral - WATCH
)
Trump downplays China's alleged 'help' to Iran in strike on Jordan base | Gravitas
)
Baba Vanga's first prophecy for 2027 is out, and straight out of science fiction
)
Trump loses Supreme Court battle over mail ballots ahead of US midterms: What happened?
)
BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla says Mohsin Naqvi 'did not object' India refusing trophy from ACC chief
)
Photographs, LeT labels vanish from two 2008 Mumbai attack entries in Pakistan’s most wanted list
)
Delhi govt to roll out ₹13,820 crore development projects under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan: CM Rekha Gupta
)
UK man admits drugging, raping wife for 20 years in shocking abuse case
)
Extreme warming in Indian Ocean added 695 billion tons of ice to Antarctica ice sheet
)
China thinned Himalayan troop presence in 2025, India defence report says; terms border situation 'stable'
The AMCA, along with the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is expected to form the backbone of the IAF in the coming decades.
India operates only 31 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42, and at least eight squadrons are likely to retire over the next decade, and hence the AMCA programme becomes a critical priority.
Fifth-generation fighter jets are known for their stealth, superior situational awareness, advanced sensors, and integrated battle network capabilities.
They can cruise at supersonic speeds without engaging afterburners and avoid enemy radar detection, qualities that give them an edge over earlier-generation jets.
The defence ministry added that companies from the private sector are invited to participate in the project. “They can bid either independently or as a joint venture or as consortia. The entity/bidder should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country,” the ministry statement said.
The development comes after Operation Sindoor and the government’s resolve for bolstering India’s air power further, as China continues to arm Pakistan and now accounts for over 80% of Islamabad’s arms imports.
CCS granted in-principle approval to AMCA programme last year
Last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted in-principle approval to the AMCA programme. The estimated development cost of the AMCA project stands at approximately Rs 15,000 crore.
The IAF has long advocated for the AMCA programme, given its long-term strategic requirements and the absence of a fifth-generation fighter jet in its current fleet.
India’s confidence in the AMCA initiative received a major boost following the successful development of the LCA Tejas. Developed by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Tejas has proven to be a capable platform for air combat and offensive missions, with secondary roles in reconnaissance and anti-ship operations.
The IAF is also in the process of acquiring 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) for around USD 18 billion to enhance its operational readiness. The MRFA deal is considered one of the largest military procurement programmes globally in recent years.
