India has moved ahead in its ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet programme by seeking initial proposals from three shortlisted private-sector defence consortiums. The development marks another step in the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and modernise the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet.
The programme forms part of India’s broader push towards self-reliance in defence production under the government’s domestic manufacturing initiative.
According to reports, the shortlisted bidders include Tata Advanced Systems, a consortium comprising Larsen & Toubro and Bharat Electronics, and another consortium involving Bharat Forge and BEML.
The selected companies are expected to participate in the development and manufacturing process for India’s proposed fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft programme.
The government had approved the project last year and subsequently invited expressions of interest from domestic defence manufacturers.
The stealth fighter aircraft initiative is considered strategically important for the Indian Air Force, which has been facing a decline in squadron strength over recent years.
India’s operational fighter squadron count has reportedly fallen below 30 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons. The new programme is expected to support long-term modernisation and strengthen indigenous defence capabilities amid evolving regional security challenges.
The initiative also aligns with the government’s objective of reducing dependence on imported military equipment and building advanced defence technologies within the country.
India has historically relied heavily on imports for military hardware and defence systems. However, the government has increasingly focused on expanding local manufacturing capabilities across aerospace and defence sectors.
The country’s defence production reportedly reached a record value of ₹1.54 trillion during the financial year ended March 2025, reflecting rising domestic manufacturing activity and higher participation from private-sector companies.
India’s move to seek proposals from shortlisted domestic consortiums marks a significant step in the development of its fifth-generation fighter jet programme. The initiative is expected to support defence self-reliance goals while strengthening the country’s long-term aerospace and military manufacturing capabilities.
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Published on: May 28, 2026, 10:56 AM IST
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