Program tracker
Full-scale engineering development under way, but the prototype-build contract and both engine tracks (F414 pricing, Mk2 co-development choice) remain unresolved.
India's fifth-generation AMCA stealth fighter is in full-scale engineering development, with DRDO targeting first prototype rollout by end-2028 and a maiden flight in 2029. Three private-sector groups — Tata Advanced Systems, an L&T–BEL consortium and a Bharat Forge–BEML consortium — are bidding to build five flying prototypes after HAL was disqualified, with bids due 27 July 2026. Engines are the programme's biggest open front: GE's near-tripled F414 quote has snarled the prototype-phase deal, while Safran and Rolls-Royce have submitted rival full-technology-transfer offers to co-develop the 120kN-class Mk2 engine.
Updated 24 Jun 2026 · updates logged below as they happen
Changelog
GE Aerospace's F414 quote nearly triples from ₹70–80 crore to about ₹210–240 crore per engine, stalling prototype-phase talks and forcing ADA to evaluate alternative engines for the five AMCA prototypes.
Rolls-Royce tables an offer to co-develop a new 110–130kN AMCA Mk2 engine wholly in India with full IP rights and technology transfer (ground test by 2032, first flight ~2034), setting up a head-to-head against Safran's rival 120kN co-development bid.
MoD issues the request for proposals to the three shortlisted private bidders — Tata Advanced Systems, L&T–BEL and Bharat Forge–BEML — to build five flying prototypes and one structural test specimen, with bids due 27 July 2026.
HAL fails to qualify as the AMCA development-cum-production partner — its order book of over eight times annual revenue breached the selection criterion — leaving Tata, L&T-led and Kalyani-led groups in the race.
DRDO chief Samir Kamat says the first AMCA prototype will roll out by end-2028 with the maiden flight planned for 2029, with design freeze and subsystem work running in parallel to compress timelines.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approves the AMCA Programme Execution Model, opening the prototype-build contract to competitive bidding with private and public sector firms on an equal footing for the first time.
The Cabinet Committee on Security sanctions around ₹15,000 crore for full-scale engineering development of the AMCA under ADA, covering roughly five prototypes to be built over five years.
2 tagged stories
GE Aerospace has reportedly tripled the price of F414 engines meant for AMCA prototypes, stalling negotiations and casting doubt over schedules for India's fifth-generation fighter and the Tejas Mk2.
Safran and Rolls-Royce have submitted rival proposals to co-develop the AMCA Mk2 engine, each pledging 100% technology transfer. India's choice will decide whether it finally closes its decades-old fighter-engine design gap.
