India is preparing to enter a new era in military aviation with the development of its first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that the AMCA is expected to be ready by 2035. This announcement came directly from DRDO chairman Dr Samir V Kamat, who provided detailed insights into the timeline, progress, and future expectations surrounding the project. The AMCA is set to mark a major advancement for India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities, putting the country alongside a handful of nations that have developed aircraft in this class.
The AMCA is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter being developed by DRDO in collaboration with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will be India’s first aircraft to incorporate stealth features and advanced avionics meant to provide superiority in future air combat scenarios. The decision to approve and begin work on the AMCA project was taken in 2024, when the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) gave the official go-ahead. According to Dr Kamat, developing a new combat aircraft of this scale usually requires between ten to fifteen years. India is aiming for a ten-year timeline, with the first aircraft expected to be ready by 2035.
The AMCA programme is not just about building another fighter jet. It represents a critical step for India as it tries to catch up with global leaders in defence technology. Fighter aircraft of the fifth generation are equipped with advanced stealth capabilities, sensor fusion, and network-centric warfare features. These capabilities allow them to operate effectively even in environments with heavy enemy surveillance and electronic warfare. India currently does not possess such an aircraft in its air force. The AMCA, once completed, will help close this gap.
One of the biggest challenges in the AMCA programme is the development of a suitable engine. Dr Kamat acknowledged that engine technology is extremely complex and remains one of the most difficult areas in aircraft development. India has previously worked on the Kaveri engine project, which was aimed at powering the Tejas light combat aircraft. Although the Kaveri did not reach the required performance levels for deployment, the experience gained from it has been valuable. For the AMCA, India is planning to start a new engine programme and is seeking collaboration with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to reduce technical and development risks. According to Dr Kamat, the hope is to finalise such a partnership soon.
Beyond the aircraft itself, India is also making progress in other advanced military technologies. On the same day the AMCA timeline was announced, DRDO revealed the successful testing of a high-energy laser weapon. This Directed Energy Weapon (DEW), named Mk-II(A), was tested at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The weapon, which delivers a 30-kilowatt laser beam, demonstrated its capability by disabling fixed-wing drones and other airborne targets. It also showed that it could neutralise multiple drone threats in quick succession. This test places India among a select group of countries that have demonstrated similar capabilities. According to Dr Kamat, the United States, Russia, China, and possibly Israel are the only other nations to have reached this level of development in laser weaponry.
The DEW system was developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) in Hyderabad. Other DRDO labs also played a part in the project, including the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE), and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL). Indian industry and academic institutions were also involved. The laser system uses sensors and radar to detect and track targets. Once a threat is identified, a high-energy beam is directed at it, destroying or disabling it within seconds. The system offers speed and accuracy, and its low operational cost makes it an attractive addition to India’s defence capabilities.
Dr Kamat described the laser weapon test as the beginning of a wider effort to develop advanced energy weapons in India. He mentioned that DRDO is also working on high-energy microwave weapons and electromagnetic pulse systems. These are technologies that, while sounding like science fiction, are increasingly becoming part of modern warfare. They offer the potential to defend against drones, missiles, and surveillance systems without the use of conventional ammunition.
One of the advantages of using directed energy weapons is that they do not rely on traditional munitions. The cost of firing a laser is minimal when compared to using a missile or bullet. As drone warfare becomes more common, low-cost systems like these become essential. In future conflicts, where large numbers of drones may be used at once, a laser weapon that can engage several targets in quick succession may prove to be a valuable asset. During the tests, the DEW system successfully destroyed the antennas and sensors of drones, showing its ability to respond quickly and with precision.
While the AMCA and DEW systems are the most talked about, DRDO has also provided updates on several other projects. According to Dr Kamat, many indigenous defence systems are nearing the final stages of development and may be inducted within the next year. These include the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD), and the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark II. The LCA Mk II is expected to have its first flight soon, and it will bring further improvements in avionics, flight control, and combat capabilities over the current Tejas aircraft.
All these developments show that India is working on multiple fronts to strengthen its defence forces using locally developed systems. This move reduces dependence on imports and builds self-reliance in critical defence technologies. The push towards indigenisation has been a consistent policy goal for many years. With projects like the AMCA and DEW entering serious stages of development, this goal appears to be moving closer to reality.
The successful test of the laser weapon was attended by several top officials, including the Secretary of Defence R&D and the DRDO Chairman. Senior scientists and personnel from different labs involved in the project were also present. After the test, Dr Kamat congratulated the teams and highlighted how the inclusion of the DEW system in service would improve the layered air defence strategy of the armed forces. This system is expected to work alongside traditional defences, providing an added layer of security against new types of threats.
The road ahead for the AMCA is not without challenges. Stealth technology, sensor fusion, and new engine designs are all areas where the margin for error is low, and the technical barriers are high. However, the official commitment to a 2035 timeline, combined with the early momentum shown by DRDO and its partners, gives reason to believe that the project is being approached with seriousness and clear goals. With the proper financial backing, international partnerships, and skilled personnel, the target date may be achievable.
India’s push into fifth-generation aircraft and energy weapons is part of a broader strategy to improve its technological edge in defence. Regional threats and global tensions make it necessary for India to invest in future-ready systems. The AMCA, once inducted, will likely become the cornerstone of India’s air combat strategy for decades. Similarly, systems like DEW will be key in defending against modern-day threats that are no longer just limited to manned aircraft and missiles.
