AMCA fighter jet: India issues Defence Ministry RFP for private partner on set timeline

The Defence Ministry has begun choosing a private firm to build a fifth-generation fighter under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. The programme is seen as India’s largest home-grown aerospace effort. A Request for Proposal, or RFP, has gone to Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Toubro, and Bharat Forge. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is not part of this selection.

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The RFP sets tight delivery goals for the AMCA fighter jet and its testing. The document says the first flight must happen within 30 months of contract signing. It also requires a 1,800-sortie flight test programme. This testing must finish within 84 months of signing before series production can start.

AMCA project timeline and prototype plan

The government plans to build five AMCA prototypes under the project. The first prototype is expected to roll out by 2029. It is planned to use the GE F414 engine. After companies submit RFP responses, the selection is expected to finish in four to five months.

Once a bidder is chosen, the winner must form a new company within three months. After that step, the contract will be signed. The RFP says foreign shareholding cannot go beyond passive institutional investment allowed in India. The new company must stay owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens.

AMCA project bidders and partner tie-ups

Each contender has pursued partnerships for the AMCA work. Larsen and Toubro has partnered Bharat Electronics Limited. Bharat Forge has reached an understanding with defence public sector undertaking BEML. Among the three, the Tata group has experience in setting up an aircraft production unit with Airbus.

Tata Advanced Systems and Airbus are assembling C-295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat. Officials view such experience as relevant for a complex aircraft programme. The selected private defence major will work with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). ADA operates under the Defence Ministry and will support prototype development.

AMCA project role in Indian Air Force plans

India has been focusing on the AMCA project to build a medium-weight deep penetration fighter. The aircraft is planned to include advanced stealth features and improve air power capability. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been pushing for AMCA due to long-term requirements. The IAF plans seven AMCA squadrons from 2035, when series production is set to begin.

AMCA, along with the Tejas light combat aircraft, is planned to form the core of the IAF fleet. Confidence in AMCA rose after progress with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The Tejas is made by HAL and is used for air combat and offensive air support missions. Reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are secondary roles.

Alongside AMCA, the IAF is also pursuing 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). In April 2019, the IAF issued a Request for Information, or RFI, for 114 jets. The cost was estimated at around USD 18 billion. It was billed as one of the world’s biggest military procurement programmes in recent years.

With inputs from PTI