India has shortlisted three industrial consortia to develop prototypes for its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), excluding Hindustan Aeronautics Limited from a major aircraft development program for the first time. The decision reportedly reflects HAL’s existing workload constraints. The shortlisted teams include Larsen & Toubro-led and Tata Advanced Systems bids, as well as a Bharat Forge consortium. The selected bidder will collaborate with the Aeronautical Development Agency to deliver five flying prototypes and a structural test article by 2031 under a contract valued at approximately ₹150 billion. The twin-engine stealth aircraft is designed for sensor fusion, internal weapons carriage, and multirole missions. Induction of around 120 aircraft is planned from 2035.
