# India opts for France-led FCAS for sixth-gen fighter programme 2026-08-08T22:37:40+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet India has begun formal efforts to join France's sixth-generation fighter programme. The Defence Ministry told a parliamentary panel it has "initiated efforts in a concerted manner to co-join" the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS), bypassing the rival British-Italian-Japanese Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The disclosure came in the Standing Committee on Defence's 25th report tabled in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The FCAS was originally a trilateral project with Germany and Spain, but Berlin exited in June 2026 over work and intellectual property disputes. The new India-France push comes as New Delhi also finalises a Rs 3.25 lakh crore deal for 114 Rafale jets and a Safran-GTRE engine pact for the indigenous AMCA fifth-gen fighter, whose first flight is targeted around 2029. The parliamentary panel has separately sought a roadmap and timeline for India's sixth-gen capability. ## Coverage - newindianexpress.com - newindianexpress.com - thehindubusinessline.com Tags: AMCA, FCAS, GCAP, India-France defence, sixth-generation fighter Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/india-picks-france-led-fcas-for-sixth-gen-fighter-programme/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/india-picks-france-led-fcas-for-sixth-gen-fighter-programme/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.