Defence ministry invites bids for AMCA fighter jet programme, HAL kept out

The defence ministry has initiated the selection process for a private sector partner to build a fifth-generation fighter jet under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, regarded as one of India’s biggest indigenous aerospace programmes.

The ministry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Toubro and Bharat Forge as part of the process to identify the private partner for the programme.

Larsen and Toubro has partnered Bharat Electronics Limited, while Bharat Forge has reached an understanding with defence public sector undertaking BEML.

State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has not been included in the process.

India has been focusing on the AMCA programme to develop a medium-weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features aimed at strengthening the country’s air power capability.

According to the RFP document, the first flight of the aircraft must take place within 30 months from the date of signing the contract.

The document stated that the project would have to follow a strict timeline and a mandatory 1,800-sortie flight test programme must be completed within 84 months of contract signing before the aircraft can move into series production.

The first prototype is expected to be rolled out by 2029 using the GE F414 engine.

The RFP document said the selected bidder would be required to establish a new company within three months of selection, after which the contract would be finalised.

It added that the new company cannot have foreign shareholding beyond passive institutional investments permitted under Indian regulations and must remain under the ownership and control of resident Indian citizens.

Among the three contenders, Tata Advanced Systems has experience in setting up a production facility with Airbus for assembling C-295 military transport aircraft in Vadodara, Gujarat.

The Indian Air Force plans to induct seven squadrons of the AMCA beginning from 2035, when series production is expected to start.

The AMCA, along with the Tejas light combat aircraft, is planned to become one of the mainstays of the Indian Air Force fleet.

After the three companies submit their responses to the RFP, the selection process is expected to be completed within four to five months.

The selected private defence company will then work with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which operates under the defence ministry, for developing the aircraft prototypes.

Under the programme, the government plans to build five prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

The Indian Air Force has been pushing for the AMCA project to meet its long-term operational requirements.

India’s confidence in developing the AMCA programme increased after the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Manufactured by HAL, the Tejas aircraft is designed for air combat and offensive air support missions, while reconnaissance and anti-ship operations remain its secondary roles.

The Indian Air Force is also pursuing the procurement of 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA).

In April 2019, the IAF issued a Request for Information (RFI) to acquire 114 fighter jets at an estimated cost of around USD 18 billion. The programme was regarded as one of the world’s biggest military procurement projects in recent years.