Ankara: India has approved a program to build the country's first advanced twin-engine 5th generation stealth fighter, the Defense Ministry announced Tuesday. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh gave the green light to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, aiming to strengthen the nation's aerospace capabilities, as stated in a message on X.

According to Anadolu Agency, the program will be carried out by the state-run Aeronautical Development Agency in collaboration with industry partners. This initiative seeks to leverage domestic expertise, skills, and resources to construct the AMCA prototype. Historically a buyer of Russian military equipment, India has diversified its defense procurement in recent years, placing emphasis on domestically produced weaponry.

India's defense budget has seen an increase, with a 9.5% rise this year, bringing it to $78.70 billion, based on government data. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India was one of the top five defense spenders globally last year. The development of the AMCA is a significant step in India's ongoing efforts to enhance its defense capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign military equipment.