India will produce five prototypes of its fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), before transitioning to series production, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh declared on Thursday.
"Under the AMCA project, five prototypes will be developed and subsequently it will be followed by series production," Singh said.
He termed the move "a key milepost in the history of the Make-in-India programme" while speaking at the CII Business Summit.
The Defence Ministry gave its nod to the "execution model" for the design and production of the stealth fighter that will be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with partners from the private sector.
The AMCA project is intended to design a medium-weight, deep penetration fighter aircraft with state-of-the-art stealth technology to further India's air combat capabilities.
Along with the Tejas light fighter, the AMCA will be expected to provide the backbone for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the years to come.
Singh also underscored the strategic significance of the Make-in-India programme, stating, "Make-in-India is a crucial element in our national security and it was crucial in India's effective response against terrorism during Operation Sindoor."
The Defence Minister further noted that the AMCA "execution model" presents the private sector with its first big chance to work with public sector enterprises on a large-scale defence project.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security gave in-principle approval for the fighter aircraft programme last year.
The initial cost of the AMCA project is projected to be about Rs 15,000 crore.
The IAF has been pushing for the indigenous development of the AMCA to address its future needs.
India's confidence in indigenous fighter development increased enormously after successfully developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Manufactured by state-owned HAL, the Tejas is a multi-role combat aircraft designed mainly for air-to-air combat and ground attack, with a secondary function in reconnaissance and anti-ship missions.
The IAF does not have a fifth-generation fighter jet currently, but China has the Chengdu J-20 that it sells as a fifth-generation air superiority fighter capable of precision strike.
Besides, the IAF is in the process of procuring 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). In April 2019, the force had floated a Request for Information (RFI) for the jets, with the acquisition to cost approximately USD 18 billion, making it one of the biggest military procurement programmes in recent years.
Read also| Bangladesh Erupts in Protest After Islamist Leader Acquitted of Liberation War Crimes
