Introduction – India’s Leap Toward Stealth Aviation

The AMCA is more than an aircraft — it is a statement of India’s aerospace ambitions. With stealth shaping, internal weapons bays, advanced avionics and plans for supercruise-capable engines, AMCA aims to provide India with a modern, survivable air superiority platform. The program has moved through multiple design phases, funding decisions, and technology development efforts. Below we trace that path in detail.

For a broader view of AMCA’s role and design, see the main pillar article: AMCA: India’s 5th Generation Fighter Jet.

Early Vision and Concept Studies (2008–2010)

• The idea for a stealth fighter was formally discussed in the late 2000s as India looked beyond the LCA Tejas for long-term air dominance.
• The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO initiated feasibility and concept studies for a twin-engine stealth aircraft.
• By 2010 the AMCA featured early design sketches emphasizing stealth shaping, internal weapons bays, and sensor fusion capability.

Preliminary Design and Approvals (2011–2015)

• 2011–2013: ADA progressed the preliminary design and coordinated requirements with the IAF and HAL.
• The AMCA was envisaged as a ~25-ton class twin-engine fighter with advanced composites and potential supercruise capability.
• By 2015 the program reached the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) stage, though debates on funding and engine options slowed progress.

Technology Development Phase (2015–2018)

Focus shifted to developing mission-critical technologies rather than building airframes immediately. Key areas included:

• Stealth materials and radar-absorbing composites validation.
• Advanced avionics and sensor fusion architectures.
• Internal weapons bay design and low-observable shaping validation.

This period aligned with India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence: Indigenous Defence Manufacturing.

Revival and Design Freeze (2019–2022)

• 2019: The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the Technology Development Phase for AMCA and allocated funds for prototype development.
• 2020: ADA completed a Critical Design Review (CDR), effectively freezing the external configuration of the AMCA.
• 2021–2022 saw deeper collaboration with HAL, private industry partners, and preliminary discussions with international engine manufacturers (GE, Rolls-Royce) for high-thrust turbofans.

Institutional debates over funding and design direction were prominent during this phase — covered in our feature The AMCA Showdown.

Prototype Phase and Future Milestones (2023–2030)

• 2023: Prototype development funding was confirmed and industrial preparations began to build the first prototypes.
• 2024–2026 (Target): Prototype rollout and ground testing preparations; structural and systems integration tests.
• 2026–2028 (Planned): First flight of AMCA Mk1 is targeted within this window.
• 2030 (Planned): Target entry into service for AMCA Mk1 powered by GE-414 class engines; AMCA Mk2 to follow with an indigenous or jointly developed higher-thrust engine (~110 kN class).

Conclusion – From Vision to Reality

The AMCA program has been long, complex and at times contentious — yet each milestone reinforces India’s intent to master advanced aerospace technologies. From concept sketches in the late 2000s to an imminent prototype phase, AMCA stands to become a centerpiece of India’s airpower modernization.

DefenceNiti will continue to track AMCA’s progress. Upcoming deep dives will cover stealth materials, engines, sensor fusion, and comparative analyses against global 5th generation fighters.

Related reading: India’s Underwater Power Surge — understand how India is modernizing across domains.