Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The decision marks a watershed moment in India’s push for strategic autonomy in the aerospace sector and is a significant step toward achieving Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence technology.
According to an official statement by the Ministry of Defence, the execution model for AMCA India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter jet programme will be implemented by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with domestic industry players. This collaborative model aims to harness the best of India’s public and private sector capabilities through a competitive, transparent, and inclusive process.
In a significant push towards enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities and fostering a robust domestic aerospace industrial ecosystem, Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has approved the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. Aeronautical… pic.twitter.com/28JEY123M5
— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) May 27, 2025
The execution model is designed to offer equal opportunities to public and private enterprises. Eligible Indian companies can participate individually, as joint ventures, or as part of consortia. The ADA will soon issue an Expression of Interest (EoI) to invite proposals for the development phase of the AMCA prototype.
The AMCA programme, which is projected to catapult India into the elite group of nations possessing fifth-generation combat aircraft capabilities, will include features such as stealth technology, advanced avionics, supercruise capabilities, and state-of-the-art sensors and weapon systems. The successful execution of the prototype will mark a generational leap in indigenous aerospace design, engineering, and manufacturing.
Following the announcement, investor sentiment surged, with stocks of defence and allied sector companies witnessing gains between 1 per cent to 6 per cent. Firms such as Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Dynamics, BEL, Cochin Shipyard, Mazagon Dock, BEML, and Paras Defence saw significant upticks. The Nifty India Defence index touched a new 52-week high of 8,674.05, reflecting market optimism about long-term indigenous defence manufacturing prospects.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted the AMCA programme not only as a technological milestone but also as a catalyst for transforming India into a global defence manufacturing hub. The move is expected to generate thousands of high-skilled jobs, deepen R&D capabilities, and establish robust supply chains across the country.
This positive market reaction reflects strong investor confidence in India’s long-term strategic commitment to indigenous defence production and technological advancement. Experts believe the AMCA programme will also catalyse a broader transformation of India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem, creating high-skilled jobs, fostering innovation, and driving exports in the years to come.
The Defence Ministry also stated that this is not just a programme to develop an aircraft but a cornerstone of national security and industrial capability, laying the foundation for India’s future as a defence manufacturing powerhouse.
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