Defence Ministry Begins Indigenous Fighter Jet Selection Process Under AMCA Programme

According to sources, the government has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to major private sector defence and engineering companies, including Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Toubro, and Bharat Forge, as part of a broader selection process linked to the programme.

In a notable development, state-run aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has reportedly been excluded from the current process, sources said. The move signals a major shift in the government’s approach towards involving private industry in one of the country’s most strategic defence aviation projects.

India has been focusing on the AMCA programme as a key initiative aimed at developing a medium-weight deep penetration fighter aircraft equipped with advanced stealth capabilities. The project is considered crucial for enhancing the Indian Air Force’s future combat preparedness amid evolving regional and global security challenges.

The AMCA fighter jet is expected to become one of the core pillars of India’s aerial warfare capability alongside the Tejas light combat aircraft, which has already emerged as a major indigenous defence platform. Both aircraft programmes are planned to serve as the mainstay of the Indian Air Force in the coming decades.

The launch of the selection process under the AMCA programme underlines the government’s push for indigenous defence production and increased participation of the private sector in high-value military aviation projects. The development is being viewed as a defining moment in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced fighter aircraft technology.