New Delhi: India is considering joining one of Europe’s ambitious ‘sixth-generation’ fighter jet programmes, marking the first official acknowledgement that the Indian Air Force (IAF) could partner in the development of a next-generation combat aircraft besides the ongoing indigenous 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) development project, the defence ministry has informed parliamentary standing committee on defence.The 20th report of the standing committee on defence said the IAF is exploring collaboration with one of two European consortia currently working on sixth-generation fighters. “The committee has 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 has also been informed that Air Force (IAF) will try to join forces with one of the consortia and begin considering a sixth-generation fighter right away with a view to ensure that they do not lag behind in achieving the target for advanced aircraft.”Though the authorised strength of the IAF is 42 fighter squadrons, it has only 31 active fighter squadrons now. Joining Europe’s 6th-gen jet programme and speeding up AMCA indigenous project are critical for India at this juncture as China has already deployed J-20 fifth-generation fighters and is rolling out J-35 stealth fighters, which Pakistan is planning to buy 40 of such jets, and has tested two sixth-generation platforms designated J-36 and J-50.“The committee understands that in view of technical advancement of fighter aircraft globally and to meet the present security scenario, technical upgradation of aircraft is required on top priority for enhancement of its combat capability. The committee recommends the ministry to chalk out a trajectory in this regard and step forward the planning process for development and acquisition of sixth-generation (6G) aircraft which would eventually enhance India’s air domain capabilities in today’s highly air-centric modern warfare,” it further said.The report said the “committee has also been informed furthermore that IAF is fully participating in the development and design of LCA Mark 2 and AMCA.The committee also notes that “among the combat-capable helicopters, Apache, Prachand and ALH Mark 4 are also fully operational in the IAF and apart from these, surface-to-surface missiles like BrahMos and light ammunition along with under development space systems also enhance our strike capability”.
