Has HAL been knocked out of India’s ₹15,000-crore AMCA project? State-run firm issues clarification

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Wednesday said that it had not received any official communication regarding India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, after media reports suggested the state-run aircraft maker had failed to advance in the bidding process.

“HAL has not received any official communication in this regard and, therefore, is not in a position to comment on these reports at this stage,” the company said in a statement.

The aircraft maker said it is “committed to keeping all stakeholders fully informed of all developments.”

HAL reiterated that it has a confirmed order book providing revenue visibility and a production pipeline extending to 2032.

It said it continues to work on multiple strategic programmes, including the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH), LCA Mk2 and Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), which are expected to enter production after 2032.

“HAL is also diversifying its portfolio in the civil aviation segment with platforms such as Dhruv NG, Hindustan 228 and SJ 100, which will enhance revenue and provide sustainable growth in the future,’ the company added.

The clarification comes after Hindustan Times reported that HAL had been knocked out of the race to develop India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter under the AMCA programme.

According to the report, three consortia have progressed to the next stage of evaluation, which involves submitting cost bids for building five AMCA prototypes and one structural test specimen.

HAL had bid with two smaller firms that did not meet mandatory criteria, the newspaper said.

The programme is being executed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under Defence Research and Development Organisation, following a competitive industry partnership model approved last year by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

In 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the AMCA design and prototype development at an estimated cost of about ₹15,000 crore.

The first prototype is expected to fly in 2029, with development likely to be completed by 2034, according to media reports.

The Indian Air Force plans to induct around 120 stealth fighters from 2035 onwards as part of its modernisation roadmap.

The government is also expected to clear a joint engine development project involving France’s Safran and India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment to power future AMCA variants.