IAF commits for 126 AMCA, project Approval likely this financial year: IAF Chief

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Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, has said that official node from the Government of India for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet program is likely to come this financial year and the air force has committed to procure 126 jets in two variants as agreed upon between DRDO/ADA and IAF. Girish Deodhare, Director, Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has confirmed that the first rollout of AMCA Prototype will happen in 2024 and the first flight is expected in 2025-26. AMCA Mk1 will be powered by an American GE F-414IN engine generating 98kN Thrust class each. IAF will procure the first two squadrons (36 jets) in Mk1 configuration and Mk2 will be powered by a jointly co-developed engine with foreign OEM generating 110kN Thrust class. IAF plans to order 5 squadrons (90 jets) in Mk2 configuration. Mk2 will be called a 5.5 Generation fighter jet and will be the first to feature an Optionally manned option, allowing aircraft to be operated without a pilot in the cockpit for risky missions. Mk2 will also feature Auto Takeoff and Auto Landing function to reduce the Pilot workload and vehicle health monitoring system to reduce downtime. NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copyright strikes