BFL, BEML, Data Patterns Team Up for AMCA Bid

In a significant development in India’s defence aviation sector, Bharat Forge Limited (BFL), Data Patterns (India) Limited, and state-owned BEML have entered into a strategic alliance to bid for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme, spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This new consortium was officially formed on Friday through a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Bharat Forge taking a 50% stake, BEML holding 30%, and Data Patterns the remaining 20%, according to sources familiar with the agreement.

Their collaboration comes shortly after the high-profile partnership between Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which was announced earlier this week. In that venture, L&T contributes its aerospace and structural engineering capabilities, while BEL brings deep expertise in defence electronics, avionics, and mission systems. Their joint bid is aimed at meeting the requirements of the Expression of Interest (EoI) floated by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the AMCA programme.

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Industry insiders suggest that the swift L&T-BEL alliance has triggered a flurry of activity among other defence players, prompting the formation of rival consortiums. Three more proposals are reportedly in the pipeline, led respectively by Tata Group, Adani Defence & Aerospace, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). HAL is also in talks with private sector companies to strengthen its bid in the emerging stealth fighter domain.

The deadline to submit detailed proposals for developing a full-scale engineering model and five prototype aircraft is set for September 30. Following this, ADA will issue a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) to the shortlisted contenders.