Feature Image: Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria in 2019 | Credits: Indian Express
After approving the procurement of 83 Tejas MK2 light combat aircraft, the Modi government may approve an indigenous fifth-generation fighter programme, the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). If this development takes off, it will boost the modernisation of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as it looks towards future challenges in air combat.
“The Indian Air Force’s modernisation map envisages the deployment of around 240 stealth fighters (six squadrons) 2032 onwards, with the stealth planes forming an important element of future air combat,” people familiar with the development said to Hindustan Times.
As per reports, the design and development of first prototypes will cost around ₹15,000 crore. The aim of the programme would be to put the stealth fighter into production by the end of this decade. If the programme runs as per plans, this will be a major step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
“The first two squadrons will consist of the Mk-1 version of AMCA. The remaining four squadrons will be raised with a more advanced Mk-2 version with a raft of sixth-generation technologies,” said an official.
“The Mk-1 stealth fighters will be powered by American GE 414 engines, with indigenous engines likely to replace the imported power plant in the Mk 2 version. AMCA is a top focus area for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and IAF is firmly backing the project,” said another official.
At Aero India-2021 in February this year month, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said that the DRDO is looking at incorporating sixth-generation technologies in AMCA. He said that there is a possibility of equipping AMCA with directed energy weapons, superior anti-missile systems, advanced missile approach warning systems and teaming it with unmanned systems.
“It will take Indian research and development and defence manufacturing to a much higher scale in terms of technology. It is imperative that the timeline laid down for the project is practical since breakthrough technologies will be getting implemented and the IAF’s operational plans will depend on it,” said Air Vice Marshal Manmohan Bahadur (retd), additional director general, Centre for Air Power Studies.
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