AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)

India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter programme entered its most consequential phase in 2026:

  • Following Cabinet Committee on Security approval of ₹15,000 crore for Full-Scale Engineering Development, the programme moved into a critical 24-month Systems Installation Detail Design (SIDD) phase.
  • In May 2026, the Ministry of Defence shortlisted three private-sector consortia — Tata Advanced Systems (independent), L&T–Bharat Electronics, and Bharat Forge–BEML–Data Patterns — to build five flying prototypes plus a structural test article, notably excluding state-owned HAL from this developmental phase.
  • A National Aero Engine Mission was launched in February 2026 to co-develop a 120kN-class indigenous fighter engine with France (Safran/GTRE), alongside a parallel joint study with the UK; interim F414 engines are being negotiated for the prototypes.
  • First flight is targeted for 2028–29, with induction eyed for 2035 — and India's Defence Secretary has stated plainly that the country will not rush to buy foreign fifth-generation jets (despite pitches for the F-35 and Su-57) while AMCA is under development.
  • Separately, following the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS effort, India confirmed in August 2026 that it is exploring co-development opportunities in France's future FCAS sixth-generation fighter programme, even as the IAF grapples with a shortfall of roughly 13 fighter squadrons against its authorised strength of 42.