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Talks are at a very exploratory stage so nothing is confirmed yet. First reports appeared last month:
theprint.in
Later in March, the proposal was confirmed to be official:
www.thehindu.com
"...At the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, this Feburary, India expressed its interest in joining France’s futuristic sixth-generation fighter jet programme. The proposal was discussed in a meeting by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France Catherine Vautrin were also present.
According to official sources, Mr. Singh presented India’s intent to participate in the co-development and co-manufacture of a sixth-generation combat aircraft under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. The ambitious project was originally launched by France and Germany in 2017, with Spain joining the initiative in 2019. India’s participation would mark a significant expansion of defence-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Paris.
The FCAS programme aims to develop a next-generation air combat system centred around a sixth-generation fighter, supported by unmanned systems and advanced network-centric warfare capabilities..."
++++
My comments:
In the long term (2050+), India will need a 6th gen air superiority platform to replace the 260+ Su-30MKIs in service. This is a role the AMCA is not expected to fill. If that requirement can be clubbed with the Navy's evolving need for a next gen deck-based fighter to fly from future CATOBAR carriers, there is likely potential requirement for ~350+ airframes of the type.
Germany's biggest gripes with the program being 1) not requiring a carrier-based version and 2) not wanting it to be nuclear delivery-ready, neither of which are likely to be issues for India. In fact we would love for it to have those features.
On the face of it, joining FCAS makes a lot of sense. But whether everything can be successfully negotiated or not is the question. The impending 114 Rafale deal for ~$35 Billion and Safran being the preferred party for AMCA's $7 Billion next-gen engine program would go a long way in solidifying the relationship with France & Dassault. That would possibly set a good stage for joining FCAS.
Remains to be seen which way things will go.
@Nilgiri @TR_123456
India eyes 6th generation FCAS, looks at tying up with France for possible collaboration
Initial talks held on the possibility of India entering the programme that was started in 2017 between France, Germany and Spain to ensure European sovereignty in defence and security.
theprint.in
Later in March, the proposal was confirmed to be official:
India pitches to join Future Combat Air System with France
India seeks to join France's Future Combat Air System program, enhancing defense collaboration amid record defense exports.
"...At the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru, this Feburary, India expressed its interest in joining France’s futuristic sixth-generation fighter jet programme. The proposal was discussed in a meeting by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, where Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs of France Catherine Vautrin were also present.
According to official sources, Mr. Singh presented India’s intent to participate in the co-development and co-manufacture of a sixth-generation combat aircraft under the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme. The ambitious project was originally launched by France and Germany in 2017, with Spain joining the initiative in 2019. India’s participation would mark a significant expansion of defence-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Paris.
The FCAS programme aims to develop a next-generation air combat system centred around a sixth-generation fighter, supported by unmanned systems and advanced network-centric warfare capabilities..."
++++
My comments:
In the long term (2050+), India will need a 6th gen air superiority platform to replace the 260+ Su-30MKIs in service. This is a role the AMCA is not expected to fill. If that requirement can be clubbed with the Navy's evolving need for a next gen deck-based fighter to fly from future CATOBAR carriers, there is likely potential requirement for ~350+ airframes of the type.
Germany's biggest gripes with the program being 1) not requiring a carrier-based version and 2) not wanting it to be nuclear delivery-ready, neither of which are likely to be issues for India. In fact we would love for it to have those features.
On the face of it, joining FCAS makes a lot of sense. But whether everything can be successfully negotiated or not is the question. The impending 114 Rafale deal for ~$35 Billion and Safran being the preferred party for AMCA's $7 Billion next-gen engine program would go a long way in solidifying the relationship with France & Dassault. That would possibly set a good stage for joining FCAS.
Remains to be seen which way things will go.
@Nilgiri @TR_123456
