The Indian Air Force (IAF) has become one of the most sought-after customers in the military aircraft industry. With several ongoing programs, the country seeks to expand its military might while developing its own homegrown defense technology.
Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru is the stage for several suitors, including companies offering transport aircraft (Embraer with the C-390) to Russians demonstrating the Su-57 fighter and the United States, its rival F-35.
Amid this competition for spotlights, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) brought to the exhibition for the first time a full-scale model of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
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This is a stealth fighter concept that the Indian government has been wanting for several years.
The IAF study was launched in 2010 and since then the AMCA project has been moving forward slowly.
In partnership with the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), ADA intends to complete a prototype in the coming years, aiming for entry into service around 2035.
The Indian fighter resembles some projects currently underway, such as the KF-21 Boramae, from South Korea, and the Turkish KAAN, with two engines and an estimated weight of 25 tons.
Artificial Intelligence
According to local media, the AMCA is being developed in two phases, the first to put into production a 5th generation fighter and later a 6th generation aircraft, incorporating several advances currently under study.
Among the promised features for the Indian stealth fighter are advanced materials that reduce radar cross-section, extensive use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the ability to operate collaborative combat aircraft.
The IAF currently operates a mix of Russian fighters such as the MiG-29 and Su-30 (the latter co-produced in the country) and French ones such as the Mirage 2000 and Rafale, both from Dassault.
There are also three dozen HAL Tejas, a light fighter developed indigenously and which has been continuously upgraded.
