The Defence Ministry on Wednesday, May 27, issued Request for Proposals (RFPs) to three short-listed bidders for the development and production of five prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at an estimated cost of ₹15,000 crore. This will be the second fighter jet manufacturing facility in India after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The three shortlisted bidders for the much anticipated AMCA are Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), Larsen and Toubro plus Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), and Bharat Forge plus Bharat Earth Movers Limited.
The Rs 15,000 crore project will see the winning private partner build five prototypes of the AMCA at a new greenfield facility in Andhra Pradesh. This is the first time that HAL has been kept out and the field has been opened to the private players.
The winning private partner will have to work with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in building the five prototypes and one structural test aircraft.
The stealth fighter featuring super-cruise, inter weapons bays, and advanced AI, will compete with US F-35, Chinese J 20 and Russian Su-57 fighters, and will be a big shot in the arm for the Indian Air Force.
The 3 parties have 2-3 months to submit their bids, with the contract awarding process expected to be completed between January-March 2027. The first prototype flight of the AMCA is expected between 2028 and 2032.
