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India aims for sixth-generation fighter aircraft: Which countries are in the Europian consortia? Which other countries are in the race? The features of the jets, explained
While they share core 6th-generation DNA, their technical focus and design philosophies differ. (AI generated/News18 Hindi File)
As India looks to strengthen its Air Force, the Defence Ministry has informed the Standing Committee on Defence that it is looking to join one of the two European global consortia working on developing sixth-generation fighter aircraft. The Committee said one of the consortiums has the UK, Italy and Japan, while the other one comprises Germany and France.
What does it entail? What are these aircraft and their lineage? News18 explains.
WHAT THE REPORT SAID
“The Committee have been informed that two consortia are working on the sixth-generation aircraft. One is a consortium of the UK, Italy, and Japan and the other is a consortium of France and Germany and both are developing aircraft,” the Committee said in its report tabled in Lok Sabha, as reported by ANI.
The Committee have also been informed that the Air Force will try to join forces with one of the consortia and begin considering a sixth-generation fighter right away with a view to ensuring that they do not lag behind in achieving the target for advanced aircraft.
THE OPTIONS INDIA IS LOOKING AT
India is weighing its options between two multinational consortia. While they share core 6th-generation DNA — like stealth, AI-integration, and manned-unmanned teaming — their technical focus and design philosophies differ.
Option 1: GLOBAL COMBAT AIR PROGRAMME (GCAP)
A partnership between the UK, Italy and Japan.
The aircraft: It aims to field a stealth fighter by 2035. Centred on the BAE Systems Tempest, the aim is to design a stealthy, twin-engine fighter designed for high speed and long range. Its key features include an augmented reality cockpit, AI-driven mission management, and the capacity to carry double the weapon payload of an F-35A, say reports.
Status: The prototype flights are expected by 2027 and service entry is expected by 2035.
Lineage and origins
UK/Italy (Tempest): Developed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon. It traces its roots to the UK’s ‘Combat Air Strategy’ (2018) and earlier ‘Future Offensive Air System’ studies aimed at replacing the Tornado.
Japan (Mitsubishi F-X): Born from Japan’s need to replace the Mitsubishi F-2, a Japanese F-16 derivative, after the US refused to export the F-22 Raptor in 2007. It incorporates data from the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin technology demonstrator.
In December 2022, these separate projects merged into GCAP to share costs and technology.
Option 2: FUTURE COMBAT AIR SYSTEM (FCAS)
Led by France, Germany and Spain. France is reportedly pushing for India’s involvement, viewing it as a logical extension of their existing Rafale partnership.
The aircraft: The core is the New Generation Fighter (NGF), a piloted supersonic jet designed for multi-domain warfare. It is being developed as a “system of systems” that includes Remote Carriers (loyal wingman drones) and a Combat Cloud for real-time data sharing across all units, say reports.
Status: While targeted for 2040, the programme has faced internal workshare disputes between Dassault and Airbus, according to reports.
Lineage and origins
France: It is intended to succeed the Dassault Rafale. France is the lead nation, with Dassault Aviation as the prime contractor for the fighter.
Germany and Spain: They plan to replace their respective Eurofighter Typhoon fleets. Airbus leads for Germany and Indra for Spain.
History: The project was initiated in 2017 by French President Emmanuel Macron and then-German Chancellor Angela Merkel as a flagship for European defence sovereignty.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 2 JETS?
Both jets are being designed with revolutionary capabilities that exceed current 5th-generation standards such as the F-35 or J-20.
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The piloted fighter acts as a “command node” controlling multiple autonomous drones, often called “Loyal Wingmen” or “Remote Carriers”. These drones perform high-risk tasks like decoys, electronic jamming, or saturation strikes.
- Combat Cloud Networking: A decentralised digital backbone that shares real-time data across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. This allows one platform to use the sensors of another to guide its own missiles.
- Directed-Energy Weapons (DEW): Integration of high-powered lasers and microwave weapons for near-instantaneous defense against incoming missiles and drones.
- Adaptive Cycle Engines: Powerplants that can switch between high-thrust modes for combat and fuel-efficient modes for long-range loitering. They also provide the massive electrical power required for DEWs and advanced sensors.
GCAP (Tempest)
GCAP emphasises modularity and high-speed data processing for Indo-Pacific and NATO requirements.
Wearable Cockpit: A revolutionary interface with no physical screens; the pilot uses an augmented reality (AR) helmet to view a 360-degree digital representation of the battlefield. It includes eye-tracking and gesture controls.
Intelligent Virtual Assistant (IVA): An onboard AI “co-pilot” that monitors the pilot’s biometric state such as stress, fatigue, cognitive load and can take over flight or sensor tasks to prevent information overload.
ISANKE Sensor Suite: An “Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects” system that treats the entire airframe as a sensor network, providing vastly more data than current standalone radars.
FCAS (New Generation Fighter)
FCAS focuses on European strategic autonomy and deeper multi-domain integration.
Human-Machine Interaction (HMI): Features highly context-aware interfaces, including brain-computer interfaces (neural links) and voice commands to simplify complex drone swarm management.
Multispectral Stealth: Beyond just radar-absorbent materials, it uses metamaterials and adaptive skins to minimise infrared (heat), acoustic, and visual signatures.
Combat Cloud Priority: French leaders have suggested that the “Combat Cloud” — the ability to network even legacy assets like Rafales — is more vital to the program than the fighter itself.
WHY A SIXTH-GEN PROJECT IS KEY
Recently, the Chinese Air Force also released visuals of its sixth-generation fighter jetswhich are under development. The Chinese have also fully developed fifth-generation fighters, which they would also be sharing with Pakistan in the near future.
The IAF currently operates roughly 29 squadrons against an authorised strength of 42. Partnering on a sixth-generation project is seen as a way to counter rapid advancements by China.
Joining these programs would provide early access to critical “system of systems” technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), manned-unmanned teaming (loyal wingmen), advanced sensors, and next-gen propulsion.
Analysts say that sixth-gen collaboration will help mature the domestic aerospace ecosystem for future variants.
THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE A SIXTH-GEN FIGHTER PROGRAM
United States
Air Force (NGAD): Developing the Boeing F-47 (the selected design as of 2025) to replace the F-22 Raptor.
Navy (F/A-XX): A separate program to replace the F/A-18 Super Hornet. Congress recently added $897 million to the 2026 budget to accelerate this project despite previous Pentagon delays.
China
Actively testing multiple prototypes, including the large tailless J-36 and the smaller J-50.
Observers also noted the “White Emperor” concept, a futuristic design intended for supersonic and potentially near-space operations.
Emerging players and ambitions
Russia: Pursuing the PAK DP (MiG-41), a high-altitude hypersonic interceptor. However, its development remains unclear due to industrial constraints.
Sweden: Formerly part of the Tempest project, Sweden is currently conducting feasibility studies for its own future combat air needs.
Brazil: Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force announced plans in 2024 to eventually develop a 6th-gen platform based on Gripen technologies.
WHAT ABOUT FIFTH GENERATION FIGHTER JETS?
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has plans to induct six squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets and deploy them from 2035 onwards. India has also chosen to co-develop a strong 110-120 KN engine with a French company and that will be used to power the indigenous fifth-generation planes.
On the indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets, the Committee said, “The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been developed the design and discussions for its making are currently.”
KEY FAQs
Which option suits India more?
The Global Combat Air Programme is more accessible for partnerships.
What’s the biggest feature difference?
NGAD focuses more on autonomy and secrecy, while GCAP balances AI with pilot control.
When will these jets be ready?
Both are expected around 2035–2040.
With agency inputs
March 20, 2026, 12:09 IST
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