India Embarks on New Fighter Jet Development Path with Industry-Led Design Approach

India's Fighter Aircraft Development Cycle: A Path to Self-Sufficiency

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has been at the forefront of the country's military modernization efforts, with a focus on acquiring cutting-edge fighter aircraft to enhance its combat capabilities. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, initiated in the early 2000s, aims to develop an indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft. However, the AMCA should be seen as a starting point, rather than the culmination, of India's fighter aircraft development cycle.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, currently in service with the IAF, is a 4.5 generation aircraft, with significant differences to be overcome before it can be considered a true fifth-generation fighter. The AMCA programme, on the other hand, has already begun to shift its focus towards an industry-led design, with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) taking a backseat in favour of private and public industry players.

In May 2025, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved an execution model for the AMCA programme, under which the ADA would work in collaboration with industry players to develop the aircraft. This model allows for competition among individual players or consortiums, fostering innovation and driving down costs. The programme has also seen significant investments in infrastructure, with the commencement of work on the AMCA Core Integration & Flight Testing Centre in Puttaparthi in May 2026.

The AMCA programme is not an isolated endeavour, but rather part of a broader effort to develop India's capabilities in critical areas such as high-temperature materials, advanced manufacturing, power and propulsion, artificial intelligence, avionics, sensors, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and flight-test infrastructure. The next generation of fighter aircraft will require the integration of manned and unmanned aerial systems, operating in concert with artificial intelligence, sensors, electronic warfare, and networking systems on a shared digital framework.

• Key technology trends driving this transformation include:
• Autonomous collaborative systems
• AI-enabled cognitive function
• Next-generation electronic warfare
• Expanded sensor roles
• New power and propulsion technologies

However, there is a risk that India may adopt a serial approach to technology development, waiting to begin work on the next fighter aircraft after the AMCA enters service. This could lead to a gap in capabilities and a loss of momentum in the development cycle.

To avoid this risk, India must develop capabilities to design, develop, and produce multiple generations of combat aircraft. This requires building competencies in critical areas and ensuring that current fighter programmes function as enablers for future aircraft. The AMCA programme should be seen as a stepping stone towards self-sufficiency, rather than an end in itself.

Key Takeaways

• The AMCA programme should be seen as a starting point, rather than the culmination, of India's fighter aircraft development cycle.
• India must develop capabilities to design, develop, and produce multiple generations of combat aircraft.
• The current programmes must function as enablers for future aircraft, such as the AMCA.
• The integration of manned and unmanned aerial systems, operating in concert with artificial intelligence, sensors, electronic warfare, and networking systems, is crucial for the next generation of fighter aircraft.
• India must invest in building competencies in critical areas, including high-temperature materials, advanced manufacturing, power and propulsion, artificial intelligence, avionics, sensors, electronic warfare, autonomous systems, and flight-test infrastructure.