India approves ₹15,000-crore stealth jet project to join elite league of air superpowers

In a historic leap toward aerospace self-reliance, India has formally greenlit the execution model for its ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

With Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s approval of the ₹15,000-crore prototype phase, India is poised to become only the third nation—after the United States and China—to field homegrown stealth fighter jets.

The Ministry of Defense hailed the approval as a "significant push towards enhancing indigenous defense capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem." Spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the project aims to produce a twin-engine, all-weather, stealth-capable warplane that redefines India’s aerial dominance.

“It's a crucial step towards harnessing India's domestic expertise and achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the aerospace sector,” Singh said.

A jet to rival the world’s best

The AMCA is envisioned as a medium-weight, multi-role stealth fighter tailored for air superiority, ground assault, electronic warfare, and Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) missions. With an expected max takeoff weight of 25 tonnes and a ceiling of 55,000 feet, it promises unmatched versatility in modern combat scenarios.

The aircraft’s Mark 1 variant will initially use the proven GE F414 engines from the U.S., while the Mark 2 aims to fly with a more powerful, indigenously developed engine, in collaboration with global partners.

From sensor fusion and supercruise capability to advanced avionics and internal weapons bays, the AMCA has been designed to rival global benchmarks like the F-35 and J-20.

Building on indigenous momentum

India’s confidence in the AMCA program stems from the hard-won success of its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. That milestone demonstrated the nation’s capacity to engineer sophisticated fighter jets. Last year, the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, granted in-principle approval for AMCA, laying the groundwork for this week’s greenlight.

The development is seen as a strategic counterweight to China, which has not only fielded fifth-gen jets but is now reportedly testing sixth-generation prototypes.

If successful, AMCA won’t just be a game-changer for the Indian Air Force — it could redefine India’s stature in the global defense and aerospace arena.