AMCA First Prototype By 2028
India plans to develop indigenous 5.5 Gen Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with the 01st prototype expected by 2028.
AMCA will commence series production by 2035.
An optimistic and realistic timeframe for Final Operational Clearance (FOC) for AMCA Mk-1 would be 2040 or beyond.
Development of the AMCA commenced in 2008, and its design was finalised in 2022. Last December, it successfully passed a platform-level critical design review.
In March 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the ₹15,000 crore (US$1.8 billion) for Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) of AMCA.
The IAF has committed to induct 07 squadrons of AMCA stealthy fighters. The first two AMCA squadrons will receive Mk-1 version.
AMCA Mk-1 will be powered by General Electric F414 engines that produce 22,000 pounds of thrust. Later, the next five squadrons will receive the AMCA Mk-2, with bigger engines producing nearer 25,000 pounds of thrust for a supersonic cruise capability.
