AMCA fighter jet programme: Tata, L&T, Bharat Forge in fighter jet race; HAL out

New Delhi: Three private sector companies have been shortlisted to develop and manufacture next generation fighter jets under the Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, with a final winner to be decided within the next three months.

Sources said that after a scrutiny of technical bids by seven Indian entities, three companies -- Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Forge -- have been shortlisted, with the remaining companies like state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) out of the race.

The selection of the final winner is expected to take place within three months, after the shortlisted companies submit detailed commercial proposals for manufacturing prototypes of the next generation jets.

While all leading Indian manufacturers submitted bids for the mega contract, the shortlisting was based on technical expertise, manufacturing capabilities, order book and financial strength.


The bidders were required to prove that they have the technical capability to absorb the AMCA design and possess adequate experience in development, engineering, manufacturing, equipping and testing, among other things. One of the clauses also discouraged companies with a large outstanding order book.

As per plans, the winner of the competition will work with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to produce five prototypes of AMCA. The ministry has allocated an indicative budget of ₹15,000 crore for the prototype stage. The final order however is expected to be in several multiples of that, once the aircraft is proven and ordered by the Air Force.

This is arguably India's biggest ever military research and development program. The new, fifth generation fighter jet is slated to become India's mainstay aerial platform from the mid 2030s. After the development, 120 fighter jets are expected to be ordered in the first batch, with deliveries expected to start by 2035. The number is expected to go up significantly in the coming years as more advanced variants are developed.

The new jets will feature the latest military technologies, including stealth features, integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), long range targeting capabilities and the ability to jointly operate with unmanned systems.