India’s AMCA project—slated to enter service in 2035—is more than a fighter jet. It is also a symbol of technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy.
India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project represents a pivotal leap in the nation’s aerospace ambitions, aiming to develop a homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. As global tensions rise, with India forced to abandon their original plan to acquire US F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation warplanes—and with some weariness on New Delhi’s part to purchase the Russian-made fifth-generation plane, the Su-57 Felon—India’s AMCA is poised to enhance India’s air superiority and reduce reliance on foreign military imports.
Launched under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), this initiative underscores India’s push for self-reliance in defense technology. The AMCA was formally approved in 2023 with an initial funding of $1.8 billion for prototype development. By 2025, though, the project has accelerated, with prototypes expected to roll out by 2027 and with first flight targeted for 2028.
This stealth fighter will join an elite club dominated by the US F-35, Russia’s Su-57, and China’s J-20, marking India as the fourth nation to field such advanced aircraft.
The AMCA’s Key Features
- Year Introduced: Not yet introduced (anticipated 2035)
- Number Built: 0
- Length: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
- Wingspan: 11.13 m (36 ft 6 in)
- Weight: 27,000 kg (59,525 lb) MTOW
- Engines: Two modified GE F414 afterburning turbofan engines
- Top Speed: 2,600 km/h (1,600 mph)
- Range: 1,620 km (1,010 mi) combat range
- Service Ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft)
- Loadout: One 23mm GSh-23 cannon; 14 hardpoints; approx. 7 tons payload capacity
- Aircrew: 1
So far, India has kept the AMCA’s key features tightly under wraps. But it is known that the fighter is intended as a multirole combat aircraft, incorporating stealth technology, supercruise capabilities, and advanced avionics for superior performance in air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. Weighing around 25 tons, it features internal weapon bays to maintain low radar visibility, AI-integrated systems, and network-centric warfare integration.
Engine development is a highlight. Initially powered by General Electric F414 engines, India is collaborating with France’s Safran for indigenous thrust-vectoring engines, promising enhanced maneuverability and efficiency. This “Made in India” approach, emphasized in 2025 updates, involves multiple DRDO labs and private sector partnerships, ensuring the jet’s stealth coating, radar-absorbing materials, and sensor fusion are fully indigenous.
The project’s cost reflects its scale, with plans for over 200 units to bolster the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet.
Progress in 2025 has been promising, with the Cabinet Committee on Security greenlighting the program amid border tensions with China and Pakistan. As noted, the first prototype is slated for completion by 2027, with induction into service by 2035. Of course, challenges persist, including engine development delays and integrating advanced materials.
Unlike Pakistan’s reliance on imported jets—which can in some cases come with political strings attached—India’s focus on indigenization through the AMCA avoids geopolitical vulnerabilities.
The AMCA’s Impact on India—and the World
The AMCA will transform the IAF, addressing squadron shortages and providing a counter to China’s J-20 and sixth-generation pursuits. By enhancing stealth and electronic warfare, it strengthens deterrence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), potentially shifting regional power dynamics in India’s favor. This aligns with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, reducing dependence on Russian Su-30s or US partnerships.
On the global stage, the AMCA could disrupt the balance of power in Asia and beyond. As India emerges as a counterweight to China’s military expansion, the jet bolsters Indo-Pacific security alliances like the “Quad” alliance, of which India is a member (alongside Japan, Australia, and the United States). Conversely, the jet may strain India-Russia ties, given Moscow’s arms exports to China, while fostering closer US-India collaboration on technology transfers. One thing is clear: the AMCA will provide overwhelming air superiority against Pakistan, which has no comparable project in the works—potentially upending the balance of power in South Asia.
Globally, India’s entry into fifth-generation tech elevates its status, influencing arms races and export markets. Experts note it could redefine Asia’s skies, challenging China’s dominance and prompting US strategic recalibrations. In a multipolar world, the AMCA enhances India’s soft power, positioning it as a key player in global defense innovation.
India’s AMCA project is more than a fighter jet. It is also a symbol of technological sovereignty and strategic autonomy. By 2035, it could tilt the global balance toward a more equitable multipolarity, countering unipolar ambitions in Asia. If the program’s goals are to be achieved, though, it will hinge on timely execution, ultimately reshaping international relations and affirming India’s rise as a superpower.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert is a senior national security editor at The National Interest. Recently, Weichert became the host of The National Security Hour on America Outloud News and iHeartRadio, where he discusses national security policy every Wednesday at 8pm Eastern. He is also a contributor at Popular Mechanics and has consulted regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including The Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, The Asia Times, and others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / Aerospace Trek.
