India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program represents a watershed moment in the country's indigenous defence production capabilities. Recent statements by DRDO chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat confirm a 2035 target date for squadron induction of this fifth-generation fighter jet, initiating India into an exclusive club of nations with homegrown stealth fighter technology. 

Despite the official optimism, the program faces significant technological, developmental, and timeline challenges that merit closer examination. This report analyses the current status of the AMCA program, its technological aspirations, and whether it can truly deliver the promised stealth superiority within the established timeframe.

Program Status And Timeline Evolution

The AMCA program has experienced a protracted development journey, remaining on drawing boards for approximately 15 years before receiving formal approval. In a significant milestone, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) recently cleared a ₹15,000 crore project to design and develop this indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. This crucial funding commitment officially kicked off the countdown to 2035 - the year DRDO has committed to delivering operational aircraft. "If you look at any programme anywhere in the world, it takes 10 to 15 years to develop a new platform.

So we have started this journey only in 2024, when the CCS sanctioned the project. So it will take ten years and we have committed to deliver the platform by 2035," Dr. Kamat explained in a recent statement to media.

However, the timeline for AMCA has witnessed several revisions that raise questions about the feasibility of current projections. Initial ambitious plans targeted a first flight by 2027 with squadron induction by 2035, but aviation experts considered this schedule "hopelessly unrealistic".

The timeline was later adjusted when Dr. Kamat acknowledged in February 2023 that the first flight "may take seven years" (around 2030) while still maintaining the 2035 induction target. These shifting milestones illustrate the complex challenges facing the program, though the recent CCS approval provides official backing and resources that could potentially stabilize development plans.

“If you look at any program anywhere in the world, it takes 10 to 15 years to develop a new platform. So we have started this journey only in 2024, when the CCS sanctioned the project. So it will take ten years and we have committed to deliver the platform by 2035,” Kamat told ANI.

Stealth Capabilities And Fifth-Generation Features

The AMCA program's primary technological aspiration revolves around achieving true stealth capabilities. The aircraft is being designed for low-observability, making detection by enemy radars or air-defence systems extremely difficult. This stealth capability represents a quantum leap in India's military aviation technology. Development is proceeding at the Aeronautical Development Agency in Bengaluru, where India's top defence scientists are working in a highly secure environment to develop this advanced platform.

Beyond stealth, the AMCA incorporates sophisticated features that define fifth-generation fighters. Multi-spectral sensors placed across the airframe will provide pilots with a 360-degree visual awareness without requiring aircraft manoeuvring, enabling "First Look, First Kill" capability where AMCA pilots can detect and neutralize targets before enemies become aware of the threat. The cockpit design incorporates advanced features including a 3D audio warning system and voice-activated commands, reducing pilot workload and allowing greater focus on mission execution.

The Engine Challenge: Critical Path To Success

Perhaps the most significant technical hurdle facing the AMCA program is engine development. The program envisions two distinct variants: AMCA MK-1, which will utilize an upgraded GE F414 engine, and the more advanced AMCA MK-2, which requires an indigenously developed 110kN thrust engine created through international collaboration. Former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria has emphasized that the AMCA MK-2's ability to compete with other advanced fighter jets hinges critically on this new engine development.

The 110kN thrust requirement is essential for achieving the super-cruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners) expected of a true fifth-generation fighter. This capability significantly enhances fuel efficiency and overall operational effectiveness. DRDO officials recognize the complexity involved, with Dr. Kamat acknowledging, "AERO engine technology is a very complex technology, however we have learnt a lot from Kaveri. Kaveri was a fourth generation engine and the current engine technology has moved to sixth generation, so we want to work with foreign OEM to reduce the risks as well as cut down the time for development."

India's previous attempt at indigenous engine development—the Kaveri engine for the TEJAS Light Combat Aircraft—encountered significant delays and ultimately failed to meet requirements. This experience has prompted a more collaborative approach for the AMCA, with India reportedly in talks with several international aerospace companies for joint development of the crucial 110kN engine. This collaboration aims to combine India's growing experience in engine design with the proven capabilities of established engine manufacturers, potentially mitigating development risks.

DRDO is already looking abroad for support. “We want to start an AERO engine programme and we want to collaborate with a foreign OEM to cut down the risks of development,” Kamat said. “AERO engine technology is a very complex technology, however we have learnt a lot from Kaveri. Kaveri was a fourth generation engine and the current engine technology has moved to sixth generation, so we want to work with foreign OEM to reduce the risks as well as cut down the time for development. Hopefully, we will have some good news on this in the next few months,” DRDO Chief Samir V Kamat added.

Fifth-Generation Status: Genuine Achievement Or Classification Gap?

A point of contention surrounding the AMCA program is whether it will truly achieve fifth-generation fighter status. Some defence analysts suggest the AMCA will be more accurately classified as a 4.5 generation fighter rather than a true fifth-generation platform like the American F-35 or Chinese J-20. This classification discrepancy stems from the aircraft allegedly lacking three defining features necessary for fifth-generation status, though specific details about these missing features aren't fully clarified in available sources.

If the AMCA achieves its design goals, it would position India among a very select group of nations capable of fielding fifth-generation fighter technology. Currently, only the United States has fully operational fifth-generation fighters in significant numbers, with Russia and China also pursuing advanced programs with varying degrees of success. This achievement would represent not just a military advancement but a significant technological statement for India's indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities.

Institutional Leadership And Program Oversight

The AMCA program benefits from continuity in leadership with Dr. Samir V Kamat, whose tenure as DRDO chairman was recently extended until May 31, 2025. This extension provides stability at a critical juncture in the program's development. Dr. Kamat brings extensive technical experience, having joined DRDO in 1989 after completing his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The Ohio State University. His background in materials development, including work on high-temperature titanium alloys and superalloy-based components for aero engines, is particularly relevant to the advanced materials requirements for stealth aircraft.

The program's structural organisation places the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO as the nodal agency for executing the program and designing the aircraft, while production will be handled by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This division of responsibilities leverages each organization's core competencies while maintaining a unified program direction.

Challenges And Prospects For Success

The AMCA program faces several significant challenges that will determine whether it can deliver on its promise of stealth superiority by 2035. First, India's limited experience with stealth technology creates a steep learning curve. Stealth design requires sophisticated computational modelling, advanced materials, and manufacturing techniques that have taken other nations decades to perfect.

Second, the engine development pathway remains unclear despite recognition of its critical importance. While collaborating with established international partners can accelerate development, integration challenges often emerge when adapting foreign technology to indigenous platforms. The specifics of potential partnerships for the 110kN engine development remain under negotiation, with Dr. Kamat indicating announcements might be forthcoming "in the next few months."

Third, scepticism from within the Indian Air Force itself suggests internal recognition of the program's ambitious nature. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari has previously advised "prudence" and recommended foreign tie-ups as a fallback for developing "alternative systems & sensors" should indigenous development miss timeline targets. This professional caution from end-users indicates awareness of the technical challenges involved.

Conclusion

The AMCA program represents India's most ambitious indigenous military aviation project to date, with the potential to dramatically elevate the country's aerospace capabilities and strategic posture. The 2035 timeline, while challenging, appears reasonably aligned with international norms for fifth-generation fighter development once factoring in India's relative inexperience with some required technologies.

Success will depend largely on effective international collaboration, particularly for engine development, while maintaining the indigenous character of the overall platform. The recent CCS approval and stable leadership under Dr. Kamat provide positive indicators for program continuity, though technical challenges remain substantial. If successful, the AMCA would represent not just a military achievement but a statement of India's growing technological capabilities in one of the most challenging domains of aerospace engineering. Whether it will deliver true stealth superiority by 2035 remains uncertain, but the foundation being laid today demonstrates India's serious commitment to joining the elite club of nations with fifth-generation fighter technology.

Based on ET News Report