India steps up sixth-gen fighter push, moves to co-join French-led FCAS

The Indian Defence Ministry is actively pursuing membership in the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation fighter aircraft programme, according to a parliamentary report. The parliamentary standing committee on defence, in its report presented to Parliament on Friday, emphasized the need for India to bolster its air combat capabilities in an increasingly air-centric warfare environment.

The committee stated that two consortia are working on the sixth-generation aircraft: one comprising the UK, Italy, and Japan, and the other led by France and Germany. It is believed that India would seek to join one of these consortia and acquire a sixth-generation fighter aircraft as soon as possible to avoid falling behind in advanced air power development.

The Defence Ministry informed the committee that it has taken steps to co-join the FCAS programme spearheaded by the French government. The committee now seeks a detailed status report on the development and acquisition of sixth-generation aircraft, along with a roadmap and a tentative timeline for their acquisition.