Facts summary and sources
Hindustan AMCA: speed field: Mach 2.0 (Design target / estimate; not a demonstrated record). First flight: Not publicly confirmed.
This is a secondary compilation. A source-check date applies only to the listed claim, not to the whole page or its translation. A page update is not a source check.
Sources and check records
- Government of India: AMCA programme announcement — An AMCA programme approval and development milestone; this source is not evidence of a measured Mach 2 flight. [Programme milestone] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-09-28
- Government of India: AMCA programme update — A programme update; it is not a source for a completed first flight or a measured maximum speed. [Programme milestone] · Source checked for this claim: 2026-09-28
- Wikipedia reference · Source-check date not recorded
✈️ Full Specifications
| Designation | AMCA |
| Manufacturer | Aeronautical Development Agency / HAL |
| Country | 🇮🇳 India |
| First flight | Not publicly confirmed |
| Crew | 1 |
| Length | 17.0 m (55.8 ft) |
| Speed target / estimate (Mach) | 2 |
| Speed evidence basis | Design target / estimate; not a demonstrated record |
| Service Ceiling | 16,000 m (52,496 ft) |
| Range | 3,000 km (1,863 mi) |
| Engine | 2x General Electric F414 (Mk1) / Kaveri derivative (Mk2) |
Overview
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is India’s planned fifth-generation fighter programme led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Its development status and projected specifications must be distinguished from aircraft already in flight or service. The Ministry of Defence approved the programme’s industry-partnership execution model in May 2025; construction of its Core Integration & Flight Testing Centre was inaugurated in May 2026.
Design & Development
The AMCA program, originally known as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) program, was launched in 2010 with an Air Staff Qualitative Requirement issued by the IAF. What began as a 20-tonne class concept has evolved into a 25-tonne class fighter. From 2013 to 2014, nine design configurations were studied using CAD modeling, wind tunnel testing, and radar cross-section evaluation, with configuration 3B-09 ultimately selected.
The design was finalized at Aero India 2015 and accepted by the IAF in 2016. The detailed design phase received ₹447 crore in 2018, and the prototype development phase was approved in March 2024 with ₹15,000 crore (US$1.8 billion). Five prototypes are planned, with the first three for developmental flight trials and the remaining two for weapon trials.
The initial design has been associated with GE F414 engines, while later propulsion proposals remain part of development planning. This page does not treat a Kaveri-derived Mk2 engine or a naval AMCA variant as an approved final configuration.
Development Status
AMCA remains a development programme in the official milestones cited here. This page has not established a publicly confirmed first flight. Earlier projected dates, including 2028, are schedules rather than flown milestones; a target date should not populate an actual-first-flight field.
Projected Capabilities
- Role: Stealth multirole / Air superiority fighter
- Speed goal: Mach 2-class design target; not a demonstrated flight result
- Service Ceiling: ~16,000 m (estimated)
- Range: ~3,000 km (estimated)
- Planned engines: GE F414 for the initial design; later configurations subject to development
- Crew: 1
- Stealth: Low RCS design with internal weapons bays
- Weight: 25-tonne class (MTOW)
Armament & Weapons
- Internal weapons bays for stealth operations
- Air-to-air missiles (Astra and beyond-visual-range missiles)
- Air-to-ground precision munitions
- Anti-ship missiles
- External hardpoints for non-stealth missions
Video
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the AMCA first fly?
No completed first flight is established by the official sources cited here. Previously reported target years are planning estimates and should be labelled separately from an actual flight date.
How does the AMCA compare to other 5th-gen fighters?
AMCA is proposed as a fifth-generation fighter. Comparing its design goals with operational aircraft does not establish equivalent tested speed, stealth, range or combat performance.
Will there be a naval variant?
The official programme milestones cited here do not establish an approved naval variant. Such proposals should not be presented as a confirmed production programme.
References & Sources
- India Ministry of Defence — AMCA execution model, May 27, 2025
- India Ministry of Defence — integration and flight-testing centre, May 15, 2026
- AMCA – Wikipedia
- Aeronautical Development Agency