India has approved a new stealth fighter jet program just weeks after a border clash with Pakistan, the country’s defense ministry announced Tuesday.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh cleared a framework for the fifth-generation twin-engine fighter, to be developed by the state-run Aeronautical Development Agency. The project will soon seek bids from both private and public firms to build a prototype, with an eye toward boosting the Indian Air Force's shrinking fleet.
Major milepost towards #AatmanirbharDefence. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has cleared #AMCA Programme Execution Model to be executed by Aeronautical Development Agency through Industry partnership. This is an important step towards harnessing the indigenous expertise,… pic.twitter.com/foAFAfPjAS
— Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) May 27, 2025
The announcement follows a four-day military standoff this month between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan, which involved drones, missiles, and jets before a ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump.
With Pakistan now operating advanced Chinese J-10 jets, India is racing to modernize. Officials say the program will reduce dependence on slow deliveries from state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics and foreign suppliers like General Electric, which has faced U.S. supply chain issues.
