NEW DELHI — In two decisive procurements designed to reinforce India’s military-technological edge across contested airspace and maritime theaters, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has sanctioned execution milestones for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and cleared the final commercial evaluation parameters for the Indian Navy’s Project 75 (India) submarine acquisition.
The strategic decisions reflect India’s commitment to sovereign defense industrialization, accelerating domestic production of high-end aerospace platforms and silent sub-surface strike platforms capable of maintaining strategic balance across the Indo-Pacific littoral.
AMCA: India’s Sovereign Fifth-Generation Stealth Leap
Conceived and designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the AMCA is a twin-engine, 25-tonne fifth-generation stealth multirole fighter. The initial sanctioned outlay will fund the fabrication of five flying prototypes and comprehensive structural testing facilities.
- Stealth Architecture: Incorporates serpentine engine air-intake ducts that shield high-reflectivity compressor turbine blades, faceted structural contours, and advanced carbon-nanotube radar-absorbent paint.
- Internal Weapons Bay: Carries indigenous Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles internally, preserving low observable (LO) radar signatures during deep-strike ingress.
- Avionics and Sensor Fusion: Features the indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, integrated electronic warfare suites, and an artificial-intelligence-assisted pilot cockpit interface.
Stay informed with authoritative national security and geopolitical reporting in our Current Affairs Archive and Today’s News Feed.
Project 75I: Transforming Sub-Surface Deterrence with AIP
Concurrently, the Indian Navy’s ₹43,000-crore Project 75I has entered its definitive contracting phase. The program mandates the construction of six advanced conventional submarines equipped with fuel-cell Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) and land-attack cruise missile (LACM) strike capabilities.
Unlike standard diesel-electric submarines that must surface or snorkel every few days to run diesel generators and recharge battery banks—exposing themselves to anti-submarine patrol aircraft—fuel-cell AIP allows submarines to cruise silently beneath the ocean for up to 21 consecutive days. Constructed in Mumbai under the Strategic Partnership model with extensive domestic vendor participation, Project 75I ensures the Indian Navy maintains credible sea-denial over critical maritime choke points from the Strait of Hormuz to the Malacca Strait.
