 "India’s indigenous fifth-gen stealth fighter & more: What’s all on display at Aero India?")
India has unveiled its indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet at the Aero India 2025. Designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a multirole fighter jet made for the use of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Considered Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, the 15th edition of Aero India was inaugurated by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on Monday (February 10). He said at the opening that India is committed to enhancing the manufacture and export of defence equipment in the coming years.
What is AMCA? What else is India displaying at the Aero India 2025? Let’s take a look.
AMCA and its significance
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a 25-tonne twin-engine aircraft with an internal fuel tank of 6.5-tonne capacity. Its advanced stealth features will enable it to meet new and developing challenges in modern warfare.
The AMCA will be manufactured by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The project’s initial cost is estimated to be Rs 15,000 crore.
Witness the power of innovation!
— DRDO (@DRDO_India) February 9, 2025
The AMCA takes center stage in its first-ever full-scale display at the India Pavilion, Aero India 2025 pic.twitter.com/edDrb0Hde5
The fifth-generation stealth fighter jet boasts an Electronic Pilot powered by artificial intelligence (AI) for advanced decision-making. It also has Netcentric Warfare Systems for real-time combat coordination, an internal weapon bay for a range of weapons, and Integrated Vehicle Health Management for predictive maintenance, as per an India Today report.
The internal weapons bay can carry up to four long-range air-to-air missiles and several precision-guided munitions, with a payload of 1,500 kg, reported Indian Express.
The AI-powered Electronic Pilot will provide the aircraft with increased situational awareness, detecting threats automatically. It will also aid in complex combat situations and provide seamless coordination with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), India Today noted.
The AMCA, India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, is different from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, a 4.5-generation single-engine multirole jet, due to its stealth features, reported Indian Express.
As per the newspaper, the fifth-generation combat aircraft has a low electro-magnetic signature, making it difficult for enemy radar to detect it.
“A fourth-generation aircraft is typically not designed or configured to have these stealth features, even though some features may be added later. But even that will not make it a fully fifth-generation aircraft,” former AMCA project director at ADA Dr AK Ghosh told Indian Express.
With AMCA, India has joined the list of select nations which have developed a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft. The United States has the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II, China has the J-20 Mighty Dragon and Russia has the Sukhoi Su-57.
The ADA is showcasing the full-scale engineering model of the AMCA at the India Pavilion of the five-day Aero India .
What else is on display at Aero India?
India is demonstrating its aerial prowess and indigenous innovations at the country's biggest air show .
The Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) is on display at the HAL India pavilion. Another highlight of Aero India is the full-scale engineering demonstrator, Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. Its cutting-edge technology will enhance the combat abilities of the IAF.
“HAL’s indigenously designed and developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be at the centre stage. Various innovative products conceived and developed by HAL R&D divisions in the area of avionics, mechanical systems, engines and aerospace for manned and unmanned aircraft will also be the highlight at the HAL stall,” Dr DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL told The Hindu.
“The flying display will include LCAMk 1A, HJT 36, HTT40, LUH and the static display will include LCA Mk1 Trainer, Hindustan 228, Do228 and LUH 228,” HAL said. “The India Pavillion of HAL will showcase the CATS Warrior system, AMCA and RUAV and the outdoor display will include LCA Mk 1A and HJT 36,” it further said.
The flagship jet training aircraft of HAL, Hindustan Jet Trainer, HJT-36, is now renamed as ‘Yashas’ after extensive modifications to resolve departure characteristics & spin resistance throughout the aircraft envelope. pic.twitter.com/T0ETEJBRTE
— HAL (@HALHQBLR) February 10, 2025
As per Financial Express, Autonomous Multi-mode Amphibious drone, MBC2 Swarm Drone System and AI-powered Mission Planning & Debrief System are being showcased.
The Gallium Nitride (GaN) Semiconductor Solutions and D4 radar for anti-drone systems are also expected to grab eyeballs.
Kaatil, the jet-based loitering munition; the Multi Utility Long Endurance (MULE) NSUAS for maritime surveillance; and RUDRAM II, the air-to-surface missile system, are other made-in-India equipment and defence systems on display at Aero India, reported The New Indian Express (TNIE).
As per Financial Express, Astra Missile, Naval Anti-Ship Missile (Medium Range), and Ultra-Light Precision Guided Munition will also be exhibited.
With inputs from agencies
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