India Approves Indigenous Stealth Fighter Jet Plan as China Offers Advanced Aircraft to Pakistan

Defence Ministry clears framework for India’s first stealth fighter, the AMCA, amid Beijing’s support for Pakistan’s air force

May 27, 2025: New Delhi:
As China fast-tracks plans to deliver advanced stealth fighter jets to Pakistan, India has approved a detailed framework to develop its own cutting-edge stealth aircraft. The move comes as New Delhi seeks to bolster its air dominance and reduce dependence on foreign military technology.

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Here are the top 10 developments:

1. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has given the green light to build India’s first indigenous stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
2. The AMCA will be a twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter jet, marking a significant leap for India’s defence sector.
3. The project will be spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a government-run body responsible for major aviation projects.
4. The defence ministry has announced that the AMCA programme will seek participation from both public and private firms, encouraging them to express interest in building a prototype. Proposals can be made independently or through joint ventures.
5. The decision to involve private firms was recommended by a top defence committee earlier this year to ease the burden on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s primary aircraft manufacturer.
6. HAL, which is currently engaged in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas project, has faced delays reportedly due to late engine deliveries from US-based General Electric (GE).
7. India’s indigenous engine development programme, the GTRE GTX-35VS Kaveri Engine, is underway but is yet to be integrated into the LCA Tejas project.
8. The AMCA initiative comes as India’s air fleet—primarily made up of Russian and French aircraft—remains at 31 squadrons, significantly below the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
9. In contrast, China has already flight-tested its sixth-generation aircraft, the J-36, while also offering the advanced J-35 stealth fighter to Pakistan. Reports suggest that Beijing may have offered the aircraft to Islamabad at a discounted price.
10. Pakistan already operates the Chinese-built J-10 fighter jets, and with the possible acquisition of the J-35, India’s decision to accelerate its indigenous stealth fighter programme signals a determined response to the evolving regional security landscape.

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India’s swift approval of the AMCA project underscores its ambition to boost defence self-reliance, reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, and keep pace with the rapidly advancing air power of China and Pakistan.

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Tags:

India stealth jet, AMCA project, Chinese J-35 fighter, Indian Air Force, military aircraft, Rajnath Singh, ADA, HAL