Article Posted on : - Nov 22, 2010

A model of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

HYDERABAD (BNS): India is planning to indigenously design and develop a fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by 2017.

According to a news report by The Hindu, the Govt of India released Rs. 100 crore last month to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an autonomous body under the department of defence research and development, Ministry of Defence.

"AMCA, when developed and produced, would probably be the first medium combat aircraft with 20 tonne weight in the world. Similar aircraft being developed by the United States and Russia are in the range of 30 to 35 tonnes," PS Subramanyam, ADA Director and Programme Director (Combat Aircraft), was quoted as saying in the news report.

The AMCA is a twin-engined 5th generation stealth multirole fighter, which will complement the HAL Tejas, the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA, the Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and other aircraft in the Indian Air Force.

PS Subramanyam also added that the fighter will be equipped with stealth technology to prevent detection by enemy radar and capability for super-cruise flight.

The aircraft will be designed with a very small radar cross-section and will also feature serpentine shaped air-intakes, internal weapons and the use of composites and other materials. The entire project would cost USD 2 billion.