Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has withdrawn from the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) competition, according to a report by The Economic Times published within the reporting window from 12:16 AM to 3:16 AM UTC on February 4, 2026. The announcement breaks during this 3-hour period, marking a significant shift in India's fighter jet development efforts. The Economic Times report, cited by idrwalerts on X at an unspecified time in the early hours of February 4, states HAL is out of the race for the fifth-generation stealth fighter program. No official statement from HAL or the Indian Ministry of Defence confirming the exit has been issued within the window, though the report originates from the newspaper's sources. The AMCA project aims to develop India's indigenous stealth multirole fighter jet. HAL's withdrawal leaves the field open to private sector competitors, as per the Economic Times coverage. This development follows ongoing debates about public-private partnerships in defense manufacturing. No further details on the reasons for HAL's exit or immediate next steps were provided in the sourced report during the 3-hour window.
