5th Generation Fighter Jet: These Will Be Features of India’s Indigenous Aircraft — When Will It Be Ready?

India recently demonstrated its military strength during ‘Operation Sindoor’, leaving neighbouring Pakistan stunned. Following this operation, India is moving swiftly to further strengthen its defence capabilities. In a historic move, the Narendra Modi-led central government has approved the plan to indigenously manufacture fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

This marks India's largest-ever military research and development program, which is expected to become a milestone on the path to self-reliance in the defence sector.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for this ambitious project. Under this initiative, proposals have been invited from Indian companies for the manufacturing of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s fifth-generation advanced fighter jets. The aim is to induct these aircraft into the Indian Air Force by 2030. The government has allocated a budget of ₹15,000 crore for prototype development, and the manufacturing process is expected to take around eight years.

A Golden Opportunity for Indian Companies

To participate in the project, companies must demonstrate their technical and engineering expertise. They are required to showcase capabilities in design, manufacturing, equipment installation, testing, and certification. The government has given companies time until August 16 to submit their proposals. A meeting will be held in the first week of July to address the queries of interested firms. Both private and public sector companies are expected to collaborate on this initiative, offering a significant boost to India’s defence technology sector.

HAL, L&T, and Other Giants Show Interest

Major players such as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Adani Defence, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) are likely to take part in this mega project. These companies may form consortia to bid for the programme. The final cost of the project could run into several lakh crores, making it the largest defence R&D initiative in Indian history.

Realising the Dream of a Self-Reliant India

“This is India’s largest military research and development program,” the government has confirmed. The project is expected to not only boost self-reliance in the defence sector but also significantly reduce the country’s dependence on foreign imports. These fifth-generation fighter jets will be equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, greatly enhancing the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force. Their inclusion in the fleet will undoubtedly pose new challenges for neighbouring countries—particularly Pakistan and China.