India Eyes Sixth-Generation Fighter Jet via Japan-Italy-UK Consortium, HAL Likely Partner

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India is likely to join a consortium of Japan, Italy and the United Kingdom to co-develop a sixth-generation fighter jet, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as its Indian partner, according to defence ministry sources. The move comes after a planned consortium led by France, which also included Germany, failed to advance and the two countries parted ways. India has now shifted focus to the Japan-led grouping and is in continuous talks with Tokyo, with an official announcement expected in the next few months.

The consortium model allows member countries to share resources and divide research and development costs. Sources said HAL will be the Indian partner, while other nations will bring their own aircraft manufacturers. India currently operates 4.5-generation Rafale fighters and has decided to skip fifth-generation jets, judging that their primary advantage—reduced radar detectability—offers only a marginal benefit against its main threats, China and Pakistan. Sixth-generation jets are being designed to be harder to detect and track by advanced radar, use quantum-based communication and artificial intelligence for precision strikes, and control one or more drones during flight. They will also have higher speed and altitude capability and be able to attack at longer range with laser-guided missiles. The US, China and Russia are already working on similar aircraft.

What is the Global Combat Air Programme?

The Japan-Italy-UK sixth-generation fighter effort is formally known as the Global Combat Air Programme, launched in December 2022 by merging Japan's F-X programme with the UK-Italy Tempest programme. The three governments agreed to develop a crewed sixth-generation fighter with supporting unmanned systems, targeting entry into service around 2035. The programme is led by BAE Systems from the UK, Leonardo from Italy, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries from Japan. India's potential entry would follow its earlier experience as a partner in Russia's fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 programme, from which it withdrew in 2018 over concerns about technology transfer and cost.

Why did India skip fifth-generation fighters?

India assessed that the main feature of fifth-generation jets—stealth that makes them harder to detect by radar—offers only a marginal advantage over its current 4.5-generation Rafale fleet. Given that its primary adversaries are China and Pakistan, India concluded that this single feature does not justify the investment, and it is instead moving directly to develop sixth-generation technology.

What are the key technologies of a sixth-generation jet?

Sixth-generation fighters are being designed to be harder to detect and track by advanced radar. Their communication systems will be based on quantum technology, which makes interception far harder. They will be equipped with artificial intelligence for precision strikes and will be able to control one or more drones during flight, enabling more effective aerial attack strategies. They will also have higher speed and altitude capability and be able to attack at longer range with laser-guided missiles.

What are the next steps for India?

India is in active talks with Japan, and an official announcement on joining the consortium is expected in the next few months. The consortium will share R&D costs, and HAL will be the Indian partner. India will also need to negotiate technology transfer terms to ensure indigenous development capability, which will be crucial for its air power in the 2030s and beyond.