India, May 28 -- India on Tuesday unveiled its long-awaited plan to fast-track the development of an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, or the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA), announcing that the execution model will be competitive and provide equal opportunities to public and private sector firms to participate in one of the country's most significant military projects.

The approval of the industry partnership model by defence minister Rajnath Singh comes at a critical moment as state-run plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) --- the sole manufacturer of fighter jets in the country --- was so far believed to be the front-runner for the prestigious project.

Singh's approval comes weeks after the May 7-10 milit...