India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet, has achieved a major milestone with its primary design now finalized, according to AMCA Project Director Krishna Rajendra. Speaking to India TV, he shared detailed insights into the aircraft’s design, stealth capabilities, and advanced technologies.
The paper design of the AMCA prototype has been completed at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Ministry of Defence, marking a significant step forward in India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The fighter jet is expected to make its first appearance by the end of 2027.
Indigenous Design and Advanced Features
Rajendra confirmed that the AMCA will be a fully indigenous stealth fighter, developed in coordination with multiple DRDO labs, CSR facilities, and academic institutions. “We have designed this aircraft indigenously… This is a completely indigenous aircraft. At the last Aero India, we demonstrated the full-scale engineering model, highlighting both design and manufacturing capabilities in the country,” he said.
Key features of the AMCA include:
- Internal Weapon Bay: Ability to store armaments inside the aircraft for stealth operations
- Dual Operational Modes: Stealth Mode (up to 1.5 tonnes of weapons) and Non-Stealth Mode (up to 5 tonnes of weapons)
- Advanced Stealth and Defence Capabilities: Designed to evade enemy radars and missile systems
AI-Powered Electronic Pilot
A standout innovation is the “electronic pilot”, powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Designed for a single-seater cockpit, this digital co-pilot assists the human pilot in managing tasks typically handled by a second pilot. “The electronic pilot comes with AI technologies to help the pilot make critical decisions, enhancing efficiency, situational awareness, and mission success rates,” Rajendra explained.
With its cutting-edge stealth design, AI integration, and fully indigenous development, the AMCA represents a major leap in India’s pursuit of advanced military aviation technology.
