Now Reading: India initiates efforts to join 6th-generation fighter jet programme
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India initiates efforts to join 6th-generation fighter jet programme
The defence ministry has told a parliamentary panel that it has "initiated efforts" to join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter aircraft programme led by France. The panel, which…
The Story in Brief
The defence ministry has told a parliamentary panel that it has "initiated efforts" to join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter aircraft programme led by France. The panel, which presented its report in Parliament on Friday, said two consortia are developing such aircraft: one of the UK, Italy and Japan, and another of France and Germany. The Indian Air Force will try to join one of these consortia to avoid falling behind in advanced fighter technology, the panel was informed.
The design for India's own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been developed, and discussions for its production are underway, the ministry said. The panel has asked the ministry to provide a detailed roadmap and timeline for acquiring sixth-generation aircraft, as well as a status report on the AMCA programme.
The Indian Opinion
The defence ministry's move to join a foreign sixth-generation fighter programme is pragmatic, but it must not become a substitute for indigenous projects like the AMCA. The FCAS consortium, led by France, demands deep technology sharing, a test India has often failed. Watch how much design and manufacturing access India secures, and whether the AMCA timeline slips further. Numbers will tell: will the AMCA fly by 2032 or get shelved?
Sources (3): ndtv.com, rediff.com, newindianexpress.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
