In a landmark move, the Defence Ministry has officially approved the execution framework for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)—India’s first indigenously developed fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and supported by private players, the project is a critical part of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision for defence self-reliance.
Target 2035: India’s Most Ambitious Aviation Program
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has committed to deliver the AMCA by 2035. Designed to rival global fifth-gen fighters like the F-35 and J-20, the AMCA will feature:
- Stealth airframe design
- Sensor fusion
- Internal weapons bays
- Supercruise capability
- Advanced avionics
A foreign joint venture is being considered for engine development, given the complexity of sixth-generation propulsion systems.
India Tests Laser Weapon, Enters Futuristic Warfare
In a parallel breakthrough, India successfully tested a 30-kilowatt directed energy weapon (DEW) developed by DRDO’s CHESS lab. The Mk-II(A) laser system neutralized multiple drones during trials, putting India among the few nations with proven high-energy laser capabilities.
Future plans include electromagnetic pulse (EMP) and microwave-based systems for advanced electronic warfare.
Strategic Shift in India’s Defence Ecosystem
The dual milestones — AMCA’s execution phase and the laser weapon test — reflect a deep strategic shift in India’s defence posture. Other indigenous systems like VSHORAD, MPATGM, and LCA Mk II are also nearing production, indicating a robust pipeline of next-gen capabilities.
For India, the next decade could redefine its status as a global aerospace and defence power.
