ADA awaits fund from govt. for AMCA prototype
Recently, government has sanctioned a total development cost of ₹9000 crore including the ₹2500 crore that has already been spent. The roll out of LCA-Mk2 is planned by 2024 and the target is to complete flight testing by 2027, setting the stage for its production and subsequent operational availability around 2028. After the approval for LCA Mark2, the expectation is that government will soon be approving the funds for the prototype development of AMCA. I have been tracking the update for the funding for AMCA and it was expected last year itself. But more than a year has gone still no funding approval for AMCA. India is already lagging behind when it comes to fighter jet development program. Any further delay is only going to push us behind in terms of technological superiority against our adversaries. Talking to financial express the DRDO Chairman S. Kamat has informed that the Preliminary Design has been finalized and design phase is proceeding well by ADA Team. Fabrication of AMCA is not yet done and the actual activity of prototype realization would begin after final approval of the Government. At present the proposal is with CCS and is expected soon, how soon we will have to wait and watch.
Metal Cutting for Titanium Bulkhead of AMCA
At the same time the ‘Metal Cutting for Titanium Bulkhead of AMCA aircraft’ as part of technology development has started on July 13th 2022. However, this activity seems to be not related to prototype development. DRDO has earlier told that based on the design by ADA the fabrication of Leading edge of AMCA initiated at HAL with special material for 5th gen design. The unit will undergo structural & other testing before putting it on the first prototype.
In summary the government will have to release funds to start the work on prototype development of AMCA otherwise, we could again see delay in the prototype development, first flight, production and induction of the India’s 5th generation fighter jet.
Development: 5 prototypes
The ADA has planned to develop 5 prototypes of AMCA for flight testing which will cost close to Rs 900 crore each. However, this cost will reduce further when the fighter jet will enter into the full fledge production. Since AMCA is an indigenous fighter, it would be still 50-60% cheaper than the imported fighters in its category.
In order to fastrack the development, AMCA and IMRH has been placed under SPV or Special Purpose Vehicle Model involving private players with majority of stake. The idea behind giving majority stake to private players is to speed up the procurement process. This will avoid the bureaucratic red tape which we have in our PSUs procurement process and reduce cost of development as well. The SPV would be involved in the prototype development, series production and providing lifetime/cycle support to the Indian Air Force.
The rollout of first AMCA is expected around 2026 and serial production by 2032.
Variants : Mark-I & Mark-II
Indian Air force has planned to acquire 7 Squadrons of AMCA which will include 2 squadrons of AMCA Mark1 & 5 squadrons of AMCA Mark2.
The Mark1 variant of AMCA will be powered by two GE F414-INS6 turbofan engines capable of generating maximum thrust of 97.9KN with afterburner, however it will not be sufficient to provide the fighter super cruise ability i.e. cruise at supersonic speed without the use of after burner. Apart from Engine the Mark-I will also feature an imported ejection seat. However, the other components which includes sensors, avionics and flight control systems are going to be indigenous which is going to increase the percentage of indigenous components in the fighter to 70%. The introduction of Indigenous engine in AMCA will increase its indigenous content to 90% in Mark-2.
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