Seven Indian defence companies submitted bids to partner with the Defence Research and Development Organisation on developing prototypes for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, India's indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, defence officials said on Tuesday.
The bids, received after an expression of interest issued in June, cover the design, engineering and construction of five prototypes under a Rs 15,000 crore contract, the officials said. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft programme aims to produce at least 125 jets for the Indian Air Force by 2035.
The Aeronautical Development Agency, under the DRDO, invited bids from Indian firms experienced in aerospace development, manufacturing and systems integration. Bidders include Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, Adani Defence and Aerospace, and Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd, according to the officials.
A committee led by former BrahMos Aerospace chief A. Sivathanu Pillai will evaluate the technical and commercial proposals, the officials said. The panel will submit its report to the Defence Ministry for shortlisting two firms, which will share the Rs 15,000 crore allocation to build the prototypes.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the programme execution model in May, allowing public and private sector firms to bid independently, in joint ventures or as consortia, a ministry statement said. The model seeks to build domestic capabilities for the project, valued at up to Rs 2 lakh crore overall.
The AMCA will feature stealth coatings, internal weapons bays, advanced sensor fusion and network-centric warfare systems, officials said. It will replace ageing Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighters in the Indian Air Force fleet.
The Indian Air Force plans to induct seven squadrons of the AMCA starting in 2035, according to the ministry. The first prototype flight is targeted for 2029.
Officials from the Defence Ministry were not immediately available for further comment on the evaluation timeline.