India lays foundation stone for ₹16,000-crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project on 15 May 2026

Key facts

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the ₹16,000-crore Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) infrastructure project in Sri Sathya Sai district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The AMCA is an indigenous 5th-generation, twin-engine stealth multirole fighter programme designed for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy.
• Led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the aircraft features supercruise, internal weapons bays, and advanced AI, with the first prototype expected by 2028 and squadron induction targeted for 2035.
• The AMCA is designed to compete with stealth fighter jets such as the United States F-35, Chinese J-20, and Russian Su-57.
• The project includes an aircraft integration and advanced flight-testing centre, a flight testing centre, naval systems facility, defence energetics units, ammunition plants, and drone city infrastructure projects, with eight drone companies starting a drone city in Kurnool.