India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, is getting new advanced sensors. Fresh graphics have revealed the addition of an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) under the nose of the jet, giving it stronger capabilities for ground strikes and surveillance, alongside its existing air-to-air systems.

Boosting Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Roles as AMCA Showcases New Sensor Suite

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, is getting new advanced sensors. 

Fresh graphics have revealed the addition of an Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) under the nose of the jet, giving it stronger capabilities for ground strikes and surveillance, alongside its existing air-to-air systems.

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, has received a big boost with new graphics revealed by IndiaTV. 

These images show that the jet will carry advanced sensor upgrades, including a dedicated Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) for ground attack and surveillance missions, alongside the already planned Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system.

The new design clearly shows a faceted EOTS aperture placed under the aircraft’s nose. This system will allow the AMCA to identify, track, and strike ground targets with high precision.

While the IRST is mainly built to detect and track enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles at long ranges, the EOTS works at shorter ranges but provides much clearer images, making it ideal for scanning and attacking targets on the ground.

Together, these two systems will give the AMCA flexibility in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. 

The EOTS will be especially useful for tasks like navigation, target marking, and guiding standoff weapons such as India’s Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) or laser-guided bombs. 

Its faceted design is stealth-friendly, ensuring the AMCA remains hard to detect on enemy radars.

Adding to this is the Distributed Aperture System (DAS) — a network of infrared sensors covering all directions around the aircraft. 

The DAS, working in sync with the EOTS, will give pilots a 360-degree view of the battlespace, allowing them to detect and engage threats without turning on the radar and risking exposure. 

This is especially valuable against stealth aircraft, hypersonic missiles, or long-range threats. The Distributed Aperture System (DAS) also helps in passing real-time battlefield intelligence to ground forces and command centers.

These upgrades are critical as the Indian Air Force (IAF) looks to counter modern threats from China’s J-20 and J-31 stealth fighters and Pakistan’s growing air power. By combining EOTS, 

IRST, and DAS, the AMCA is shaping up to be a versatile, multi-role fighter that can dominate both air-to-air battles and precision ground strikes while staying hidden from enemy sensors.

The aircraft will also feature internal weapons bays, supercruise capability (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners), and advanced avionics. 

This puts it in the same league as global fifth-generation fighters like the American F-35 Lightning II.

Currently, the AMCA program is in the detailed design stage, with approval granted for five prototypes. The first flight is targeted for 2027–28, and full induction is expected in the early 2030s. 

Defence experts note that these new sensors clearly reflect lessons from recent operations, such as Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where accurate targeting and strong situational awareness were key to success.

With its upgraded sensor suite and long-range weapons in development, the AMCA promises to give India a cutting-edge stealth fighter ready for the future of air warfare.