Weeks after military action against Pakistan under “Operation Sindoor,” India on Tuesday approved a new framework to build its own fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.
India's Aeronautical Development Agency will soon invite defence firms to develop a prototype for its twin-engine 5th-generation fighter jet, the defence ministry said.
India will partner with a domestic company to build its 5th-generation fighter jets, and companies can bid independently or as a joint venture.
The defence ministry said that these bids will be open for bidding by both private companies and state-owned entities.
In March, the Centre recommended the participation of the private sector in manufacturing military aircraft for the armed forces in an attempt to reduce the burden on state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.
HAL has been criticised in the past for the slow delivery of light combat Tejas aircraft, a 4.5 generation fighter.
The PSU blamed the delay on the slow delivery of engines from General Electric due to supply chain issues faced by the US firm.
This programme is Crucial for IAF combat power as squadron strength fell to 31 from an approved strength of 42.
The force played a critical role during India's “Operation Sindoor” by destroying terror infrastructure and other critical military installations during its retaliation against Pakistan's escalation.
The IAF plans to induct seven squadrons (126 jets) of the expensive AMCA, which will also have AI-powered electronic pilot systems, netcentric warfare systems, integrated vehicle health management and the like.