Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered a strategic partnership with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) to support the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter project for the Indian Air Force, according to an L&T stock exchange filing.

The L&T-BEL consortium will respond to the Government of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency’s Expression of Interest (EoI) in the coming weeks. The partnership combines L&T’s expertise in defence and aerospace platforms with BEL’s capabilities in defence electronics and systems, aiming to contribute jointly to the AMCA programme.

Both companies have previously collaborated on the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme, providing major aerostructure modules and developing mission-critical avionics and electronic systems.

SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman and Managing Director of L&T, said: “This collaboration with BEL represents a significant leap in our commitment to modernising India’s defence capabilities. Our combined efforts will strengthen national security and advance self-reliance in defence technology.”

Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of BEL, added: “The AMCA project demonstrates India’s growing defence technology capabilities. Partnering with L&T allows us to deliver a world-class solution for the Indian Air Force, leveraging our respective strengths in electronics and engineering integration.”

The AMCA programme aims to develop a single-seat, twin-engine, multi-role stealth combat aircraft for both the Indian Air Force and Navy, capable of air superiority, ground strikes, suppression of enemy air defences, and electronic warfare.

The aircraft will have a maximum takeoff weight of approximately 25 tonnes, fly up to 55,000 feet, carry 1,500 kg in its internal weapons bay, an external payload of 5,500 kg, and fuel capacity of 6,500 kg. Prototype rollout is scheduled between 2028 and 2029, with series production by 2032–33 and induction into the Indian Air Force expected in 2034.