Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

Mains level: Fifth Generation Fighter Aircrafts and their combat capabilities

In the news

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a Rs 15,000 crore project for the development of India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), marking a significant stride in indigenous defense capabilities.

About Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)

The AMCA project aims to design and manufacture a stealthy multirole fighter jet to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat fleet.
It was first initiated in 2007.
It is led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the DRDO.

Stealth Technology: Equipped with advanced stealth features, the 25-tonne twin-engine aircraft will evade enemy radar detection, placing it on par with or even surpassing other fifth-generation stealth fighters globally.
Fuel and Weapons Capacity: The aircraft will feature a concealed internal fuel tank with a capacity of 6.5 tonnes and an internal weapons bay for carrying a diverse range of weapons, including indigenous armaments.
Engine Specifications: Initially powered by the US-built GE414 engine, the AMCA Mk2 variant will utilize a more powerful 110kN engine developed indigenously by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in collaboration with foreign defense partners.
Specialized Design Features: The AMCA will incorporate innovative design elements such as a diverterless supersonic inlet and a serpentine air intake duct to optimize engine performance and minimize radar emissions.

Indigenous boost: AMCA project underscores India’s quest for self-reliance in defense technology, following its withdrawal from the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) collaboration with Russia in 2018.
Stealth Advantages: As a fifth-generation fighter, the AMCA will possess low electromagnetic signature, enhancing survivability and lethality in modern combat scenarios.
Enhanced Capabilities: With advanced sensors and weaponry, the AMCA will be capable of detecting and engaging enemy aircraft while remaining undetected, offering a significant advantage over fourth-generation counterparts.

Flight Schedule: Following CCS approval, the ADA aims to conduct the first flight of the AMCA within four and a half to five years, with full development expected to span around a decade.
Manufacturing Partnerships: HAL will undertake aircraft production, with private industry collaboration anticipated to expedite the manufacturing process.
Operational Imperatives: The IAF’s requirement for seven squadrons of AMCA underscores its pivotal role in augmenting India’s air combat capabilities amid dwindling fighter squadron numbers.

Limited Fifth-Generation Fleet: While countries like the US, China, and Russia possess fifth-generation stealth fighters, the AMCA will add India to this exclusive list, enhancing its strategic posture in the region.
IAF’s Modernization Needs: Amidst retiring legacy aircraft, the induction of AMCA squadrons will address critical operational gaps, ensuring a potent air combat fleet for the future.

The development of AMCA heralds a new era of indigenous defence manufacturing in India, underlining the nation’s commitment to technological advancement and military modernization.
With its advanced capabilities and stealth features, the AMCA promises to be a game-changer in the realm of aerial warfare, reinforcing India’s position as a formidable force in the global defence arena.