RK Singh revealed that HAL, which had teamed with two smaller firms, did not meet mandatory technical and financial criteria among seven consortia that expressed interest in February 2026.
Only three consortia survived the cut: Tata Advanced Systems alone, the L&T‑BEL‑Dynamatic partnership, and a Bharat Forge‑BEML‑Data Patterns group.
The Defence Ministry has shifted the AMCA contract to the private sector to create a second production line, Singh explained, citing diversification.
The winner will build five flying prototypes and one structural test aircraft at ADA’s Puttaparthi campus, with the government funding roughly ₹15,000 cr.
First flight is targeted for September 2028, with all prototypes ready by 64 months and a 1,800‑sortie test schedule by 84 months.
India currently operates no stealth fighters, and a limited purchase of Russian Sukhoi‑57s is under consideration, the ministry said. The contract award is expected in the next few weeks, and the chosen consortium must set up a new company within three months.