The Indian government has given the green light to the development of the country's newest aeronautical project, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The project was approved by the government's Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Thursday (07) and will be coordinated by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). 

As per the program approved by the CCS, the DRDO's Aeronautical Development Agency will develop and produce five prototypes of the AMCA in partnership with public and private organizations. The first prototype should be presented in three to four years and the first flight should take place within a year.

The AMCA will be a 5th generation fighter aircraft in the 25 ton class, capable of carrying up to 1500 kilograms of payload internally and 5500 kilograms externally. The aircraft will have supercruise capability (supersonic flight without the use of afterburner), AESA radar and sensor fusion. The project, which will possibly have a naval variant, began in 2016 and was accelerated after India abandoned joint development of Russia's Sukhoi Su-57 (PAK-FA/FGFA) due to program delays and disagreements with Moscow. 

The Indian Air Force intends to acquire up to between 125 and AMCA. The first version, designated Mk.1, will be powered by General Electric F414 engines from the United States, the same used in the JAS-39 Gripen E and F/A-18 Super Hornet. These will make up the first two squadrons with the AMCA, which will carry out the operational introduction of the new aircraft from the 2030s onwards.

The Mk.2 version of the stealth fighter is expected to incorporate more local technologies, including a  most powerful engine planned to be developed in partnership with the Safran Group from France, something still under negotiation according to the TheHindu. 

The development of AMCA is part of India's investment in developing its own technologies. This advance is encouraged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who reinforces his support for Indian combat aircraft projects. Modi approved the purchase of more than 200 light combat aircraft, the HAL Tejas Mk.1, and approved the acquisition of F414 engines for the LCA Tejas Mk.2 project.