Who will build India’s stealth jet? Adani, HAL, L&T vie for ₹15,000 crore AMCA contract

By Admin

01 Oct, 2025

India has taken a giant leap in its defense modernization journey with the launch of the Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, a fifth-generation stealth fighter initiative that promises to reshape the country’s air power. Valued at ₹15,000 crore for prototype development alone, the AMCA project is now at the center of one of the most competitive defense bids in India’s history.

India’s Largest Military R&D Push

According to The Economic Times, seven Indian defense giants, including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Adani Defence, Tata Advanced Systems, and Kalyani Strategic Systems, have submitted proposals to design and develop the stealth jet. The Ministry of Defence is evaluating these bids in what is expected to become India’s largest-ever military research and development programme.

A high-level committee, chaired by former DRDO missile scientist A Sivathanu Pillai, will scrutinize both technical and commercial aspects before selecting industry partners for prototype development.

What Makes the AMCA Special

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) had issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) in June, inviting firms capable of delivering the aircraft within eight years. The AMCA is envisioned as a fifth-generation stealth fighter, featuring cutting-edge capabilities such as:

• Artificial Intelligence-assisted operations
  
  

• Unmanned teaming with drones
  
  

• Long-range targeting and strike systems
  
  

• Advanced stealth and sensor fusion
  
  

This ambitious vision reflects India’s determination to reduce dependence on foreign platforms and emerge as a global aerospace power.

Bidding Requirements

To qualify, bidding companies must demonstrate:

• The ability to absorb the AMCA design
  
  

• Proven track record in aircraft development, manufacturing, systems integration, and flight testing
  
  

This requirement places private players like Adani Defence and Tata Advanced Systems in direct competition with state-run stalwarts like HAL, marking a decisive shift in India’s defense procurement strategy.

The Road Ahead

The project is expected to roll out its first prototype by the early 2030s, with the first batch of 120 aircraft targeted for delivery by 2035. Over time, more advanced variants will be developed, potentially making the AMCA the backbone of India’s air superiority through the 2040s and beyond.

While ₹15,000 crore has been earmarked for prototype development, defense officials suggest that the final contract could be worth several lakh crore rupees, making it one of the most lucrative defense deals in India’s history.

A Strategic Turning Point

For decades, India’s air power has relied heavily on imported platforms such as the French Rafale and Russian Sukhoi jets. The AMCA programme represents a strategic turning point—one that not only strengthens India’s defense self-reliance but also positions Indian defense companies to emerge as global players in high-end aerospace manufacturing.

As the competition intensifies between HAL, L&T, Adani Defence, Tata Advanced Systems, and others, the final decision will shape not just India’s skies, but also its defense industrial future. The winner of this contract won’t just be building a jet—they will be building India’s place in the next era of aerial warfare.