India has planned to give the green light to its project to create a stealth fighter of the fifth generation and eventually begins the implementation of this program. Times of India reports that it is currently known that the plan for the development of the AMSA domestic combat aircraft (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) will soon be sent for consideration by the Security Committee, where the final decision will be made.
As noted, the program has actually already completed extensive interagency consultations, particularly on cost and design, as well as an assessment of the direct involvement of Indian industry in the project. The cost of development is estimated at about 1.8-2 billion dollars.
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It is assumed that a total of five prototypes will be created within the framework of the program, one test sample of the structure, flight tests will be conducted, as well as the certification of the 25-ton fighter.
It is expected that the first prototype of the AMCA fighter would fly four years after the program is officially approved, and production could begin in six years. Although it is fair to note that the AMCA program itself was launched in India back in 2010. It is also stated that the first fighters (probably, subject to the earliest possible start of the program) will strengthen the Indian Air Force from about 2035.
Comparing with the programs currently implemented by other countries, for example, Turkey is planning the first flight of its TF-X this year, and if everything goes as planned, the period from the start of the program to the first flight will take seven years.
For russia, it took nine years for the Su-57, which can hardly be called a "fifth generation fighter", from the start of development in 2001 to the first flight in 2010.
And finally, it is worth mentioning the Korean the KF-X plane, which has been under construction since 2001, and the first flight took place 21 years later, on July 19, 2022.
Back to the Indian aircraft: it is known that the Indian Air Force currently has plans for a total of seven squadrons or 126 fifth-generation AMCA aircraft. The first two squadrons are abut to receive American F414 General Electric engines, as in the Tejas Mark 2, and the engine for other aircraft will be made in cooperation with other countries.
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