Why in the news?
- Russia extended its support to India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme
- What is it?: AMCA is India’s fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter aircraft project.
- Developed by: The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as the principal production partner.
- Aim: Intended to replace ageing fleets like the Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and Jaguar aircraft in the IAF.
- Features:
- Stealth Design: Radar cross-section reduction through composite materials and serpentine air-intake design.
- Multirole Capability: Capable of both air-superiority and deep-strike missions.
- Supercruise: Sustained supersonic flight without afterburners.
- Internal Weapons Bay: Enables stealth operations.
- Avionics Suite: Advanced sensor fusion, fly-by-wire controls, AESA radar, IRST, and electronic warfare suite.
- Networking: Compatible with India’s Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS).
- Twin-engine configuration with thrust-vectoring potential.
- Strategic Significance:
- Atmanirbhar Bharat Defence Push: Symbolises India’s entry into the elite club of nations with stealth fighter tech (USA, Russia, China).
- Force Multiplier: To complement Rafale and Tejas Mk-1A/2 in IAF’s future fleet structure.
- Export Potential: Strengthens India’s aerospace manufacturing base and self-reliance.
- Technological Spill-over: Boost to domestic R&D in composites, AI-aided flight systems, sensors, and engine technologies.