Defence ministry issues RFP for 5th-gen stealth jet project; 3 pvt players in race, HAL out

New Delhi: In an important step towards building India’s own stealth 5th-generation fighter jet, the defence ministry on Wednesday issued a request for proposal (RFP) to three shortlisted private players for development and production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which will rival US’s F35 Lightning II and Russian Su-57 stealth fighters once developed. The AMCA prototype phase is budgeted at Rs 15,000 crore.The AMCA will be a medium-weight, multi-role, twin-engine stealth fighter aircraft being designed and developed based on the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).For the first time, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) won’t be part of a big-ticket fighter jet programme, as the defence PSU is already engaged with the 4.5-generation Tejas fighter programme and two big orders for Tejas from IAF are pending with it.The shortlisted bidders are Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen and Toubro in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited, and Bharat Forge in an arrangement with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd.After the three companies submit their responses to the RFP, the selection process for the project is likely to be completed in 4 to 5 months. According to the RFP, the bidding process will begin on June 11 and the interested bidders will have to make their final submissions by the end of next month. The bids will be opened on July 28.The select private defence major then will work with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an entity that operates under the defence ministry, for developing five prototypes of the aircraft. The IAF has been pushing for the AMCA project in view of its long-term requirement.AMCA will be produced under the design and expertise of DRDO’s ADA. Under the RFP, the bidders will be required to support flight testing and type certification activities for the AMCA. While the first AMCA prototype is likely to be completed by early 2027, the first flight of a multi-role fighter will take place between 2028-29. Its serial production would start in the mid-2030s.Once the prototype is given clearance and Cabinet Committee on Security gives its nod, AMCA will be manufactured at the upcoming Integration and Flight Testing Complex in Andhra Pradesh, whose foundation was laid by defence minister Rajnath Singh and CM Chandrababu Naidu some days ago.Featuring super-cruise, internal weapons bays and advanced AI, AMCA is expected to have an operational ceiling of 55,000 feet and carry 1,500 kg in weapons in its bays, with 5,500 kg more externally.It was on May 27, 2025, that the defence minister approved the execution model for the AMCA programme involving private companies. Nearly 20 days later, expressions of interest (EOI) were invited from private firms for the development of the AMCA.