India approves advanced fighter jet prototype amid Pakistan conflict
India pushes for defence self-reliance with fifth-generation AMCA fighter development as tensions with Pakistan and China rise.
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| A full-scale model of India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is displayed during the 15th edition of Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 14, 2025. Photo by Idrees Mohammed/AFP |
By Alana Salsabila and Clarisa Sendy
India has greenlit the development of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft prototype in a bold step to boost its domestic defence manufacturing. The move comes just weeks after the country’s most intense military confrontation with Pakistan in a generation, underscoring New Delhi’s urgency to reduce reliance on foreign arms and strengthen its military posture against regional threats.
On Tuesday, India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the prototype of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet developed by the government’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). The announcement marks a milestone in India’s push toward aatmanirbharta — self-reliance — in defence technology.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the AMCA fighter programme represents “a significant push towards enhancing India's indigenous defence capabilities,” signaling a pivotal shift from foreign dependence to strategic autonomy in air combat preparedness.
The AMCA project, now approved for prototype development, will be executed through a public-private partnership involving India's ADA and local industry stakeholders. It is part of a broader initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration to foster homegrown innovation and reduce the nation’s exposure to geopolitical risk stemming from imported arms.
“This is an important step,” the Defence Ministry stated, “which will be a major milestone towards self-reliance in the aerospace sector.” The fifth-generation AMCA is expected to feature stealth technology, supercruise capability, and advanced avionics, placing India among the few countries capable of producing such cutting-edge aircraft.
India ramps up domestic defence amid rising tensions
India’s latest fighter jet development comes at a time of increased defence spending and growing tensions with both Pakistan and China. In early May, India and Pakistan were locked in a four-day conflict that killed more than 70 people on both sides. It was the worst confrontation since the 1999 Kargil War.
While Pakistan claimed its Chinese-supplied JF-17 jets shot down six Indian aircraft — including three French-made Rafale fighters — India has not publicly confirmed the losses. However, an Indian security official told AFP that three jets had indeed crashed within Indian territory, without detailing the cause or aircraft type.
The fighting was reportedly sparked by an April 22 terror attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir, which New Delhi accused Islamabad of orchestrating. Pakistan has denied involvement. The conflict culminated in a ceasefire agreement on May 10.
This backdrop of military volatility further underscores the urgency behind India's indigenous arms development push.
India is among the world’s top arms importers. Between 2019 and 2023, the country accounted for nearly 10 percent of all global arms imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). However, over the past decade, there has been a noticeable pivot toward domestic production.
Rajnath Singh has pledged $100 billion in military procurement contracts for Indian-made equipment by 2033. The AMCA fighter jet project is expected to absorb a significant portion of that budget, alongside other high-profile initiatives such as locally-produced helicopters, drones, missiles, and warships.
Recent achievements include the inauguration of a new helicopter manufacturing facility, the launch of India’s first indigenously-built aircraft carrier, and successful hypersonic missile tests — all illustrating New Delhi’s multi-pronged effort to create a self-sufficient defence ecosystem.
Balancing foreign deals and homegrown innovation
India has not entirely shut the door on foreign military partnerships. In April, the government finalized a multi-billion-dollar agreement with France’s Dassault Aviation to purchase 26 Rafale Marine jets for the Indian Navy. These will replace aging Russian MiG-29Ks and complement the 36 Rafale jets already in service with the Air Force.
India has also grown closer to Western defence partners, particularly through the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan, and Australia. These alliances are increasingly strategic as India attempts to move away from traditional dependency on Russian military hardware, especially amid concerns about the reliability of Russian supply lines following its invasion of Ukraine.
Still, the AMCA project highlights India’s desire to tilt the balance towards domestic innovation, reducing long-term dependency even as it bridges short-term capability gaps with international purchases.
Beyond Pakistan, India remains highly cautious about China’s military activities, especially in the northern Ladakh region, where a deadly 2020 clash killed at least 20 Indian soldiers. Despite several rounds of diplomatic talks, tensions remain unresolved, with both nations maintaining high troop levels along their shared border.
China’s rapid military modernization has pushed India to accelerate its own. The approval of the advanced fighter jet prototype is seen not only as a response to Pakistan’s provocations but also as part of a broader deterrent strategy against China.
What lies ahead for the AMCA
The development of the AMCA fighter jet will likely take several years, with the prototype stage being only the beginning. Analysts expect the maiden flight to occur within the next five to seven years, followed by extensive testing before full-scale production.
Once operational, the AMCA will be India’s first homegrown fifth-generation stealth fighter and could eventually replace aging fleets such as the Jaguar and MiG-29.
Its success would not only enhance India’s air superiority but also boost its credibility as a defence manufacturer capable of exporting high-tech systems to allies in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
India’s approval of the AMCA fighter jet prototype is a landmark moment in its journey toward defence self-reliance. With regional tensions flaring and global arms supply chains in flux, the nation’s bet on indigenous military development could reshape its strategic future. As India continues to juggle international partnerships and local innovation, the AMCA fighter jet stands as a symbol of its evolving defence doctrine and determination to secure its skies on its own terms.
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