Good news for Tata, Adani, L&T as Modi government approves AMCA Program, fifth-generation fighter aircraft will now…, HAL plans to…

India.com

02-06-2025

New Delhi: In a major development, the Modi government has approved the AMCA Program Execution Model, which will allow private sector companies such as Tata, Adani, and L&T to compete for the program. RKS Bhadauria, former Air Force Chief, has said that the decision to approve the AMCA Program Execution Model could be a 'setback' for HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). However, Bhadauria also higlighted that it is a necessary step towards fostering a collaborative environment in the country's defence production sector.
Under the new model, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will work together with both private and public sector companies to advance the AMCA program. HAL will now have to compete with companies like Tata, Adani, and L&T to manufacture the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
HAL should now work in collaboration with the private sector and should not hesitate to participate in a consortium with private companies, Bhaduria said. Should fifth-generation fighter jets be imported?
Bhadauria rejected the idea of India importing fifth-generation fighter jets in the meantime, especially when Pakistan is preparing to buy aircraft like the J-20 or J-35 from China. He said that the government has placed its trust in the AMCA. Now, every possible effort must be made to push the AMCA forward quickly.
He further said, 'Let Pakistan buy whatever aircraft it wants from China, be it the J-20 or the J-35. Let them. We will study them. What matters is how we deal with these threats in the meantime. There are ways to counter these threats.'
'Pakistan is likely to acquire stealth capability before us. We will have to take certain other measures so that we can detect them in some way and keep them away from our borders to prevent any attacks. If they are able to launch their cruise missiles or standoff weapons, we are capable of dealing with those weapons,' he added. This means that even if Pakistan ends up acquiring superior technology before us, we are still prepared to counter it. What does the new model say? The AMCA program will be executed by ADA in collaboration with both private and public sector companies.
HAL will now have to compete with companies like Tata, Adani, and L&T.
Earlier, HAL used to get this work exclusively. But that will no longer be the case.
Bhadauria said that HAL should not see this as a 'setback.' Instead, it should see it as an opportunity. It should work together with the private sector and learn new technologies.