Approved on order or on program to continue until development phase is completed ?
If that true, this will be the cheapest 5 generation fighter
But that is until 1 prototype, I wonder total cost with 6 prototypes ?
Bro, this is basically costing of what has been done so far and to release funds for completion of project up to and incl. prototype stage (as projected now).
It is connected to what Zapper mention earlier in thread:
Rs. 400cr ($500mn) has been sanctioned for the design phase of AMCA back in 2018. The final design of the exterior airframe has been frozen after going through several iterations with the IAF. Hyderabad based VEM technologies is building a full size model of AMCA's finalized design. As mentioned in the videos above, ADA is developing detailed designs
Currently, ADA is seeking Rs.8000-9000cr ($1-1.5bn approx) to develop 2 technology demonstrators and 7 prototypes.
i.e 500 mn (used already and ongoing funding etc) + ~1.5 billion new commitment funding to take it to next phase (i.e end of which is prototype stage)....i.e about 2 billion in total projected development cost.
We will get more details hopefully in middle of year when the MoD official release is given as to what the 1.5 billion dev phase (part 2, part 3 etc) will exactly project to cover.
I for one think these costs will likely escalate a bit more downroad (like with most projects worldwide of this nature), these are just projections now to keep everything appropriately financed and commited etc for say 3+ more years....if ADA and other design+RnD agencies that are collaborating (under ADA aegis) need more funds later....they will approach govt and requisition then.
We will know the final cost much later...and then how its spread/included/amortised on the 120 units (which will of course be a different larger bill then and involve HAL etc.. i.e production).