New Delhi (TIP)- The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a highly anticipated project for the design and prototype development of an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, or the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), at a cost of around Rs 15,000 crore, officials aware of the matter said on March 7. It is perhaps the most significant military project to be cleared by the government before India’s general elections due in April-May.
The project will involve the design and development of five twin-engine AMCA prototypes, with the stealth fighter likely to go into production only after a decade, the officials said, asking not to be named.
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) modernisation map envisages the deployment of around 120 stealth fighters (six squadrons) 2035 onwards, with the advanced planes forming an important element of future air combat.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency and state-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be involved in the AMCA project, which will be developed in two phases, as previously reported by HT. The first two squadrons will consist of the Mk-1 version of AMCA powered by the American F-414 engines, while the remaining four squadrons will have the more advanced Mk-2 version equipped with an even more powerful engine to be built in India with foreign collaboration. Source: HT