India eyeing partnership for 6th-gen fighter aircraft, to issue AMCA RFP soon: Defence secy; We’re ready for Agni 6, awaits Centre's nod: DRDO Chief

NEW DELHI: Defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Thursday said the procurement process for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is progressing, with a request for proposal (RFP) likely to be issued soon to shortlisted private sector players, marking a significant push towards indigenous fighter jet production.

Speaking at the ANI National Security Summit 2.0 here, the defence secretary indicated that India is also exploring partnerships for developing sixth-generation fighter aircraft, saying that India has reached out to two international three-country programmes and expressed willingness to collaborate. He also revealed that India is working towards developing a multi-layered conventional missile force spanning short, medium and long ranges.

Addressing concerns over the absence of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from key upcoming aerospace projects such as AMCA and Rafale-related production, Singh said diversifying production capabilities is strategically beneficial. “Most of our major defence producers in the world, the US, Russians, the Chinese, all have two fighter production lines in two separate companies, sometimes both are public in China, but they do have two.” On the target of Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, Singh said the milestone would be comfortably achieved.

At the same event, DRDO chief Samir V Kamat said India's LR-AShM hypersonic glide missile programme has reached an advanced stage, with initial trials expected soon. On the development of the Agni-VI ballistic missile, he said the programme depends on a govt decision, adding the agency is fully prepared to proceed when approval is granted. The Agni-VI is expected to be an advanced intercontinental ballistic missile with longer range and improved capabilities compared to existing systems in India's Agni series.

On unmanned combat air vehicles, Kamat said the Ghatak UCAV will be comparable to a stealth fighter in capability.