The MoD and the Aeronautical Development Agency had issued the RFP to three shortlisted entities to develop five flying prototypes and one structural test specimen of fifth-generation stealth fighter
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have extended Request for Proposal (RFP) submission date, ending on Thursday, by slightly over two months on the request of some of the bidders who will be for the first attempting to manufacture five prototypes of fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It has been designed by DRDO’s Bengaluru-based lab, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
The ADA announced on Thursday that the RFP submission deadline for the ₹15,000 crore AMCA programme has been extended to October 30. Bids will open the following day to select the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP).
Shortlisted entities The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Aeronautical Development Agency had issued the RFP to three shortlisted entities to develop five flying prototypes and one structural test specimen of fifth-generation stealth fighter, ending the monopoly of state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) in the fighter aircraft manufacturing in the country. This has been done to foster a parallel private aerospace ecosystem and provide a level playing to the industry.
Some of the bidders have sought extra time on the grounds that they are still trying to ascertain certain required documents, such as quotations from supply chain vendors, for project cost estimation which is a humungous task since this is a one-off exercise being attempted by the industry, defence officials told businessline. Sources within the industry stated that the cost estimation by the consortia has to match that of the ADA on whose calculation the Ministry of Defence has pitched the programme’s worth at ₹15,000 crore.
While Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) is bidding independently as a single private entity, others have formed consortium for participating in process of manufacturing of the AMCA. A
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