Puttaparthi To Be Centre For Producing India’s 5th-generation Fighter Jets
17 May 2026 1:48 AM IST17 May 2026 1:48 AM IST
AMCA will have advanced integrated sensor suites, AESA radar, infrared search and track systems, electronic warfare suites, multi-sensor data fusion, 360-degree situational awareness, and autonomous mission-support systems.
ANANTAPUR: Puttaparthi is set to emerge as a major hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing with establishment of facilities linked to India’s indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The proposed aerospace and defence ecosystem around Puttaparthi Airport, spread across nearly 650 acres, is expected to include the AMCA project and subsidiary units by Bharat Benz. Officials said the initiative is expected to boost industrial development in Sri Sathya Sai district.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, along with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the AMCA project, which is being positioned as a milestone in India’s push towards self-reliance in advanced defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the AMCA is envisaged as a twin-engine, multi-role stealth fighter aircraft equipped with advanced avionics, sensor fusion systems, artificial intelligence-assisted mission systems, and internal bays for weapons.
AMCA will have advanced integrated sensor suites, AESA radar, infrared search and track systems, electronic warfare suites, multi-sensor data fusion, 360-degree situational awareness, and autonomous mission-support systems. The aircraft is designed with radar-absorbing materials and diverterless supersonic air inlets to reduce radar signature. It will carry both internal and external weapons, including beyond-visual-range missiles, precision-guided bombs, anti-ship missiles, and close combat missiles.
Officials said the aircraft is being developed for multiple combat roles, including air superiority missions, precision strikes, maritime warfare and suppression, and destruction of enemy air defence systems.
According to technical details displayed at the event, the aircraft is expected to achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8, operate at a service ceiling of 55,000 feet and carry payloads up to 6,500 kg in non-stealth configuration.
The Aeronautical Development Agency, which recently completed 40 years since inception, stated that it had developed more than 190 indigenous Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) and conducted over 6,000 developmental test flights through various combat aircraft programmes.
Officials said the success of LCA (light combat aircraft) Tejas programme had laid the technological foundation for the AMCA project. The agency stated that collaborations have been established with national laboratories, academic institutions, PSUs, MSMEs, and start-ups to strengthen India’s defence-aerospace ecosystem.Two Indian Air Force squadrons have deployed LCA Tejas. The enhanced LCA AF Mk1A variant would soon enter service.
AMCA is designed for multiple combat roles including:
Swing role missions
Air defence role
Air superiority role
Suppression of Enemy Air Defence (SEAD)
Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD)
Precision strike
Maritime strike
Salient features include:
Advanced integrated sensor suite
Long-range primary sensors including AESA radar and IRST
Sophisticated electronic warfare suite
Multi-sensor data fusion and decision aids
Stealth airframe design with radar-absorbent materials
360-degree situational awareness
Net-centric warfare capability
Electronic pilot support for autonomous missions
Integrated vehicle health monitoring
Internal bay for weapons supporting supersonic persistence
Aircraft systems and components include:Twin BVR missilesAnti-ship missileInternal bay for weaponsAESA radarConformal antenna / aperturesDiverterless supersonic intakeRecce podExternal drop tankPrecision-guided bombClose combat missileStealth airframeEdge matchingLow emission designCockpit features include:Ergonomically designed cockpitAll-round visibilityAdvanced pilot vehicle interfaceITO single bubble canopy3D audio warning systemSituation-based reconfigurable displaysLarge area displayWide field-of-view head-up displayHelmet mounted display systemVoice-activated command systemKey specifications:Maximum speed: Mach 1.8Service ceiling: 55,000 feetG limits: +8/-3Maximum payload in stealth configuration: 1,500 kgMaximum payload in non-stealth configuration: 6,500 kg
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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