India's Cabinet Committee on Security has given the green light to proceed with the development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country's indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. What are the significant details surrounding this decision?

Development Efforts Led by Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.

The development of the AMCA, a twin-engine stealth fighter, will be spearheaded by the state-run Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. These organizations have been granted 150 trillion rupees (U.S. $1.8 billion) by the committee to fund the full-scale design and development, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA.

Expected Prototypes and Maiden Flight

According to Krishna Rajendra, the AMCA project director at the Aeronautical Development Agency, a total of five prototypes are expected to be built. The maiden flight of the AMCA is anticipated to take place before the end of 2028.

Indian Air Force's Requirements and Future Plans

The Indian Air Force has expressed its desire to have seven squadrons of these stealthy fighters. While the government has not officially announced the start of series production, Indian media sources are quoting a potential date of 2035. However, aviation experts suggest that the final operational clearance, indicating the aircraft's readiness for service, may not be achieved until 2040 or beyond.

Different Aircraft Models and Engines

The Air Force's first two AMCA squadrons will receive the Mk-1 aircraft, powered by General Electric F414 engines with a thrust of 22,000 pounds. The subsequent five squadrons will be equipped with the AMCA Mk-2, featuring larger engines that produce approximately 25,000 pounds of thrust, enabling supersonic cruising capabilities. Development of the new engine, including thrust vector control, will be a collaborative effort with a foreign partner.

Timeline and Challenges

The AMCA's development journey began in 2008, with the design being finalized in 2022. In December of that year, the aircraft successfully passed a platform-level critical design review. However, lessons learned from previous domestic fighter programs, such as the Tejas fighter, indicate that the timeline for the AMCA's operational deployment may experience delays. The Tejas fighter, for instance, had its maiden flight in 2001 but entered an operational squadron only 15 years later. Additionally, India faced challenges in developing the Kaveri engine for the Tejas fighter, resulting in significant setbacks.

Critical Importance for India's Defense

Aviation experts emphasize the critical importance of the AMCA for India's defense capabilities. With a limited number of squadrons equipped with fourth-generation and below aircraft and the growing threat of Chinese aggression, the AMCA's advanced capabilities are seen as necessary to safeguard national security.