India hastens plans for stealth fighter jet

India on Tuesday unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, or the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects.

- Rahul Singh

The approval of the industry partnership model by defence minister Rajnath Singh comes at a critical moment as state-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)--the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country--was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project.

Singh's approval comes weeks after the May 7-10 military confrontation with Pakistan under Operation Sindoor---India's muscular military response to the Pahalgam terror strike. The four-day clash put the spotlight on the Indian Air Force's deep strike capabilities and the role of locally produced weapons and systems.

It also led the government to reaffirm its commitment to equip the three services with the latest weapons and platforms--a stealth fighter has been on the IAF's wish list for long.

The model unlocks new possibilities for the local aerospace industry, including firms such as Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Adani Defence and Aerospace and the Mahindra Group, people aware of the matter said. HAL is still a strong contender for the project, they added, asking not to be named. The defence ministry explained how the project will unfold.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation's Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will execute the programme through industry partnership, it said.