AMCA fighter moves off India’s drawing board
This scale model of the AMCA fighter was shown by the DRDO at DefExpo 2020. (Gordon Arthur)
India hopes to have the AMCA fighter in the hands of the air force by around 2035.
India’s Aeronautical Design Agency (ADA) has started manufacturing activities for the country’s twin-engine $5 billion Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.
On 9 March, the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) cut the first sheet metal, a tradition starting the aircraft building process.
Additionally, flight trials are to start soon to test the performance of the EO targeting system on a modified DRDO testbed.
R Madhavan, HAL’s Chairman, said the AMCA project would be implemented under a special-purpose vehicle model involving private companies.
‘The advantage [of industry involvement] is that it will cut procedural
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
Read this Article
Get access to this article with a Free Basic Account
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 1 free story per week
- Personalised news alerts
- Daily and weekly newsletters
Unlimited Access
Access to all our premium news as a Premium News 365 Member. Corporate subscriptions available.
- Original curated content, daily across air, land and naval domains
- 14-day free trial (cancel at any time)
- Unlimited access to all published premium news
More from Air Warfare
-
![PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq]()
PLA shows off new UCAV, while CH-5 achieves sale to Iraq
China's aerospace industry continues to develop and sell advanced UAVs both at home and on the international market and has displayed UCAVs at the China Helicopter Exhibition in Tianjin.
-
![Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability]()
Northrop Grumman awarded $705 million contract for USAF’s new strike missile capability
The USAF has selected Northrop Grumman to develop and test the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), a new air-to-ground weapon system, for fifth-generation aircraft and beyond.
-
![India to add to Su-30MKI fleet with new order]()
India to add to Su-30MKI fleet with new order
India will order a dozen extra Su-30 fighters from Russia, these to be assembled by HAL within India.
-
![Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery]()
Sweden accelerates Gripen E fighter jet delivery
Adjustments to an existing contract aims to facilitate the continued development and operational use of Gripen C/D aircraft beyond 2030, in parallel with the introduction of the Gripen E next-generation fighter.
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the workhorse of many armies and air forces in the 2020s.
-
![Indigenous tethered UAVs to join Indian Army]()
Indigenous tethered UAVs to join Indian Army
An Indian company will supply the Indian military with its first ever tethered UAVs.
