New Delhi: India has sought initial proposals from three shortlisted domestic bidders for the local manufacturing of a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft, according to a report by news agency ANI citing defence officials.
The shortlisted contenders include Tata Advanced Systems and two joint ventures involving Larsen and Toubro, Bharat Electronics, and Bharat Forge, all of them Indian companies.
India approved the ambitious stealth fighter jet programme last year and invited expressions of interest from defence firms weeks after a major military confrontation with nuclear-armed neighbour Pakistan.
The programme is considered critical for strengthening the Indian Air Force, whose operational fleet — largely composed of Russian-origin aircraft — has declined to below 30 squadrons in recent months against the sanctioned strength of 42 squadrons.
The move also aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader push to expand domestic defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign military imports.
The United States has offered its advanced F-35 fighter jet to India, while Russia has proposed its fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft. However, New Delhi has so far maintained distance from both offers as it focuses on developing indigenous capabilities.
India has traditionally relied heavily on imported weapons systems and military hardware, but Modi’s “Make in India” initiative has accelerated domestic production in recent years.
According to official figures, India’s defence production reached a record INR1.54 trillion ($16.09 billion) during the financial year ending March 2025.