India's fifth-generation AMCA fighter jet latest update: ADA issues expression of interest

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Wednesday invited Indian firms to participate in developing India's fifth-generation fighter jet AMCA or Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

 

This comes a few weeks after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the execution model for AMCA under public-private partnership. The model provides equal opportunities to both private and public sectors on a competitive basis. The companies may bid either independently or as joint venture or as consortia.

 

In a notification, ADA issued an expression of interest (EOI).

 

“The objective of this EOI is to shortlist Indian companies (owned & controlled by resident Indian citizens) who are technically capable for the development, building of prototypes, supporting flight test and certification of AMCA," a statement from ADA read.

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The duration of the contract for development, prototyping, flight test and certification of AMCA shall not exceed eight  years from the effective date of contract, the agency noted.

 

According to the defence ministry, the company bidding for the project should be an Indian company compliant with the laws and regulations of the country.

 

This is an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise, capability and capacity to develop the AMCA prototype, which will be a major milestone towards Aatmanirbharta in the aerospace sector, the ministry had said in May.

Defence