India Steps Up Sixth-Gen Fighter Push, Moves To Join France-Led FCAS

India has stepped up efforts to join the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) as it races to build the next generation of fighter aircraft and strengthen the Indian Air Force.

The Defence Ministry has told Parliament that it has “initiated efforts in a concerted manner” to co-join FCAS. A parliamentary panel has sought a clear roadmap, status report and tentative timeline for acquiring sixth-generation fighters. It has also urged the IAF to move quickly so India does not fall behind.

The move follows earlier India-France talks on co-development and co-production of FCAS. The programme was launched by France, Germany and Spain in 2017. Germany left the fighter effort two months ago after differences with France, including over requirements linked to carrier operations and nuclear weapons. Those needs are central to France and also fit India, which operates both aircraft carriers and a nuclear deterrent.

India’s push gained momentum after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron in Nice in June. The two sides stressed co-design, co-development and co-production, with India seeking more local design and manufacturing. Before that visit, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met France’s air force chief and officials from Dassault, Thales, Safran and MBDA.

FCAS is still on the drawing board, with its first flight expected around 2028-29. AMCA, India’s own fifth-generation fighter, is also expected to fly around the same period. FCAS could expose India to manned-unmanned teaming, combat cloud networks, new engines and advanced stealth.

The race is heating up globally. The US is developing the F-47 and F/A-XX, while China is testing the J-36 and J-50. Sixth-generation fighters are expected to use better stealth, AI, drones, new engines, advanced radar and directed-energy weapons.

India had earlier explored the UK-Italy-Japan GCAP as another option. Its past experience with Russia’s FGFA also matters. India left that programme in 2018 over work-share issues and concerns about meeting fifth-generation standards.

The FCAS plan sits alongside India’s wider air-power push. The IAF’s share of the defence budget rose from 8.83% in 2021-22 to 10.80% in 2026-27. The panel wants more funding for air power and near-space operations, while India continues AMCA, LCA Mk-II and MRFA efforts. It also called for modern weapons and infrastructure, citing lessons from Operation Sindoor.

France remains a long-time partner. India has operated French aircraft since the 1950s, including Ouragan, Mystere, Alize, Mirage-2000 and Rafale. Recent ties include 36 Rafales, six Scorpene submarines, 26 Rafale-M jets, Safran’s Hyderabad engine MRO centre and Airbus’s H125 helicopter line in Karnataka.

India has not yet signed an FCAS agreement. But the latest move shows New Delhi is seriously exploring a French partnership for its sixth-generation fighter future.