Defense ministry wants bids for new AMCA fighter jet project.

The Ministry of Defence in New Delhi has taken a major step towards the development of a fifth-generation fighter jet through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project. This project is considered to be India's largest indigenous aerospace program and has garnered a lot of attention. In order to select a private sector partner for this project, the ministry has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) or tender to three companies - Tata Advanced Systems, Larsen and Toubro, and Bharat Forge.

It is interesting to note that the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has been excluded from the selection process. This highlights the government's focus on promoting private sector involvement in the defence industry. The AMCA project aims to develop a medium-weight fighter jet with advanced stealth capabilities, in order to strengthen India's air power.

As per the RFP, the winning bidder must ensure that the first flight of the aircraft takes place within 30 months of signing the contract. The project is also expected to be completed within a strict timeline, with a mandatory flight test program of 1,800 sorties to be completed within 84 months of contract signing before the fighter jet can enter series production. The winning bidder will also have to establish a new company within three months of selection, with no foreign shareholding beyond passive institutional investments.

This new company must remain under the ownership and control of Indian citizens. Out of the three contenders, the Tatas have the advantage of previous experience in setting up a production facility with Airbus to assemble C-295 military transport aircraft in Gujarat's Vadodara. The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to have seven squadrons of the AMCA, with series production set to begin in 2035.

Along with the Tejas light combat aircraft, the AMCA is expected to be a key asset for the IAF. After the three companies submit their responses to the RFP, the selection process is expected to be completed within four to five months. The selected private defence major will then work with the Aeronautical Development Agency, under the defence ministry, for developing the prototypes of the aircraft.

The government plans to build five prototypes of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft under this project. The IAF has shown a strong interest in the AMCA, considering its long-term requirements. The successful development of the Tejas aircraft by HAL has also boosted the confidence of the Indian government in the AMCA project.

The Tejas is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support missions, with secondary roles including reconnaissance and anti-ship operations. In addition to the development of the AMCA, the IAF is also in the process of procuring 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft. In April 2019, an initial tender was issued to acquire these jets at a cost of around USD 18 billion, making it one of the world's biggest military procurement programs in recent years.

The IAF is determined to strengthen its air power, and the development of the AMCA is a significant step towards achieving this goal. With the support of private sector partners, India is confident in its ability to develop advanced fighter jets and bolster its defence capabilities.