HAL AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)

HAL AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)

Type: fighter

Domain: air

Country of Origin: India

Manufacturer: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Overview

India's fifth-generation stealth fighter programme designed to provide the IAF with air superiority and strike capability against advanced integrated air defence systems. The AMCA features a twin-engine configuration (2x GE F414 initially, potentially indigenous Kaveri engine in later variants), stealthy airframe with serpentine engine intakes, internal weapons bays for 4 BVR missiles and 2 WVR missiles (additional external hardpoints for non-stealth missions), active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, advanced sensor fusion including Distributed Aperture System (DAS), supercruise capability, and network-centric warfare integration. Maximum takeoff weight of approximately 25 tonnes with combat radius exceeding 1,000 km. Development is proceeding in two phases: AMCA Mk1 with GE F414 engines and AMCA Mk2 with more powerful engines (potentially 110 kN-class) for improved performance. First flight targeted for 2027-2028 with initial operational capability in the mid-2030s. Indian Air Force plans 120+ AMCA fighters to complement the foreign-sourced FGFA or Rafael.

Technical Specifications

crew1
type5th Generation Stealth Multirole Fighter
engineGE F414 (interim) / indigenous Kaveri derivative (target)
statusIn development — first flight ~2028–29; IOC 2035+
armamentInternal bays: Astra Mk3, BrahMos-NG, smart munitions
avionicsAESA radar; internal EW; sensor fusion; AI-assisted systems
max_speedMach 2.0+ (estimated)
combat_radius~1,000 km (estimated)

Operators

Related air Weapon Systems