By News18,Pathikrit Sen Gupta
Copyright news18
In a major push to indigenise India’s defence manufacturing, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is moving forward with a crucial public-private partnership for the development of the country’s next-generation stealth fighter. According to a Hindustan Times report, HAL Chairman DK Sunil announced on Sunday that as many as 28 private sector firms have expressed interest in collaborating on the ambitious project, officially known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The AMCA is India’s bid to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter, a technological leap that would place it among a select few nations with this advanced capability. The project is designed to integrate a domestic supply chain and reduce India’s reliance on foreign military imports. To select its partners, HAL has formed a high-level committee to shortlist a maximum of two companies to form a consortium, a move that signals the project’s shift from a conceptual stage to a concrete, collaborative effort.
According to sources, the selected private firms will be crucial to the project’s success, taking on key roles in areas such as avionics, flight control systems, and engine components. This collaborative model is seen as a game-changer for India’s defence sector, providing a framework for technology transfer and capacity building within the private industry. It will not only accelerate the development of the AMCA but also strengthen India’s overall aerospace ecosystem.
The AMCA is slated to be a twin-engine fighter with stealth features, internal weapons bays, and super-cruise capability, making it a formidable addition to the Indian Air Force. Its development is a strategic priority, and the selection of partners is a critical step in a project that is expected to be a flagship of the “Make in India” initiative. The final consortium will work closely with HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to bring the fighter to fruition, transforming India from a military importer to a global defence technology leader.
