The MoD and the Aeronautical Development Agency had issued the RFP to three shortlisted entities to develop five flying prototypes and one structural test specimen of fifth-generation stealth fighter
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have extended Request for Proposal (RFP) submission date, ending on Thursday, by slightly over two months on the request of some of the bidders who will be for the first attempting to manufacture five prototypes of fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It has been designed by DRDO’s Bengaluru-based lab, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The ADA announced on Thursday that the RFP submission deadline for the ₹15,000 crore AMCA programme has been extended to October 30. Bids will open the following day to select the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP).
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Aeronautical Development Agency had issued the RFP to three shortlisted entities to develop five flying prototypes and one structural test specimen of fifth-generation stealth fighter, ending the monopoly of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in the fighter aircraft manufacturing in the country. This has been done to foster a parallel private aerospace ecosystem and provide a level playing to the industry.
Some of the bidders have sought extra time on the grounds that they are still trying to ascertain certain required documents, such as quotations from supply chain vendors, for project cost estimation which is a humungous task since this is a one-off exercise being attempted by the industry, defence officials told businessline. Sources within the industry stated that the cost estimation by the consortia has to match that of the ADA on whose calculation the Ministry of Defence has pitched the programme’s worth at ₹15,000 crore.
While Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is bidding independently as a single private entity, others have formed consortium for participating in process of manufacturing of the AMCA. A consortium led Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has partnership with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Dynamatic Technologies. Likewise, Bharat Forge (Kalyani Group) has tied up with Bharat Earth Movers Ltd and Data Patterns to participate the AMCA programme.
Once the bid is opened, it has to be evaluated against the scope of work for the production of the fifth generation aircraft. Only after that the sucessful bidder among the three entities will be declared which may take at least two or more months from October, defence officials explained. The MoD is working to get this ambitious project off the design board, even if it may take a few months more, to get into select global league of owning indigenous fifth generation aircraft.
The RFP was issued on May 27, 2026, to one private company and the two consortia, selecting them from seven who had participated in the initial process of Request for Information (RFI).
As per the initial schedule, the first prototype is supposed to rollout towars the end of 2027, with the maiden flight expected around 2028–2029. Induction into the Indian Air Force is planned for the mid-2030s, but with the bid opening towards the end of this year, it is unlikely that the production rollout timelines would be adhered to.
The winning entity will build five prototypes and establish a dedicated production facility near Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh.
The production of AMCA will significantly boost the fighting capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF), struggling with a depleted strength at a time when the regional insecurities remain alive post Operation Sindoor. It will also reduce dependence on foreign defence fighter platforms though the United States and Russia are trying to impress on the government to buy their respective fifth generation aircraft, the F-35 and Su-57E respectively.
Last year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the AMCA Programme Execution Model, with the Aeronautical Development Agency being the anchor to execute it through industry partnerships.
Copyright© 2026, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved.
Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.
We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of TheHindu Businessline and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.
Source: Read the original article on www.thehindubusinessline.com
