India issues AMCA prototype RFP to Tata, an L&T-BEL team and a Bharat Forge-BEML team

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)/AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft)

The defence ministry formally invited three shortlisted private-led groups to bid to build five AMCA prototypes with ADA. HAL was left out of the prototype phase but can compete for series production later, the defence secretary said.

• Bidders: Tata Advanced Systems alone; L&T with BEL; Bharat Forge with BEML.
• The winner builds five prototypes with ADA before any production phase.
• Prototypes to be finished and flight-tested by 2032.