Global Combat Aircraft Programme
The development of 5th generation fighter jet not only require capability to develop advance technology, but it needs huge amount of funding. This is the reason why on 9th December, a “coalition” to build a futuristic 6th generation fighter aircraft by 2035 was formed between the United Kingdom, Japan and Italy. This program is called as ‘Global Combat Aircraft Programme’ (GCAP) on which the development is expected to commence from 2024. GCAP is expected to replace the British Typhoons and the Japanese F-2 fighter jets. The GCAP is ambitious next-generation jet enhanced by a network of capabilities such as uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems.
6th Generation fighter jet programs of Europe
The US is developing its 6th Generation fighter jet known as the Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) programme to replace its F-22 Raptor’s fleet by 2030. US has also expressed its support for the GCAP program to ensure interoperability of the future fighters with its allies and NATO members. The GCAP Program is also competing against Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program being developed by France-German-Spain led trio.
In a joint leaders’ statement issued on December 9, the prime ministers of Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy announced the new Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), which will field a sixth-generation fighter by 2035, by integrating their F-X and Tempest future combat aircraft programs. F-X and Tempest share the same schedule, facilitating collaboration between Japan, Britain, and Italy.
The F-X fighter aircraft program is being led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) with seven subcontractors, namely IHI, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), Subaru, Toshiba, NEC, Fujitsu, and Mitsubishi Electric. The Tempest program is being led by BAE Systems along with Leonardo, Rolls-Royce, and MBDA.
Will GCAP program shoot down AMCA?
The GCAP program will be led by the British company BAE Systems PLC (BAES.L), the Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (7011.T), and the Italian defense company Leonardo (LDOF.MI), with participation from other defense manufacturers, including the European missile manufacturer MBDA.
These are some of the best & experienced tech companies involved in development & manufacturing of various technologies and components of aircraft. This explains the sheer complexity behind developing a next generation fighter jet. On contrary, AMCA, the ambitious 5th generation fighter jet program of India is led by ADA of DRDO with DPSU HAL.
It has also been reported that the GCAP could also help countries developing their own aircraft and clearly Indian is one such country running three fighter jet program AMCA, TEBF & LCA Mark-2. The GCAP program would involve development of various subsystems & critical technologies such as engines, radars, and defensive aids which could be shared with India. DRDO is already working on collaborating with Britain’s Rolls Royce which is also part of the GCAP in developing the engine for its fifth-gen fighter.
IAF is supporting but not confident on AMCA timeline
The Chief of Air Staff, who has expressed his full support for the AMCA program has flagged the IAF’s deep concern and scepticism over the ability of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO and HAL to deliver on key indigenous fighter aircraft programmes on time. IAF Chief has advised “prudence” of foreign tie-ups as a back-up for development of “alternative systems and sensors” just in case the indigenous effort slips on deadlines.
The AMCA’s Project Director AK Ghosh has said during the defence expo that the first prototype of the AMCA is expected to roll out in three years, and the first flight could take another year and a half. Considering we are at the end of this year; the rollout would be expected at the end of 2025 and first flight in mid of 2027.
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24 Comments
India should increase Research and Development in Defense sector to face China and Pakistan together in a war
Make in India
We should just focus on amca
We do not have any expertise in engines and stealth. Why dont we take part in this GCAP and build the production line in India to gain technology and build robust ecosystem of defence subsystems manufacturing in India.
Let's just keep our fingers crossed for AMCA, pray that DRDO, ADA & HAL don't mess it up😵
Look brother none of the 5 th gen fighter were actually put into real battle scenario so u cannot jump the gun about the actual capabilities of these fighters ….
Well they got experience more than india, meanwhile our government and airforce is not even taking things seriously to race the world. Drdo, Ada needs to wake up for this project and submit to hal ASAP
We aren't even sure if ADA is capable of making AMCA forget about a 6th gen jet.
Can't join GCAP since they won't give us tech but use our money
Now is the time for India to start a 6th gen program
Idk what is happening any more.
If only they were ready to share technology then we could join them and use that tech in AMCA mk2.
But we need a private company for that and none in India has any experience right now.
Maybe first we should transfer all the tech of ADA to either kalyani or L&T then join the GCAP program.
Could buy some units for IAF in the future too.
We know nothing like this is going to happen
Countries with less budget are ahead even when they are democratic but we are doing nothing when we have a superpower as an enemy.
I am blabbering here😅
Peace out
Our R&D in defense is laughably small. It's almost 700 million dollars while USA & chhina have 20-50 billion usd spending
Imo We Should Focus AMCA but There is something critical I want to say…..India would perhaps never succeed in Indigenous Aircraft Programs….The Reason Behind This is our Approach….. Everyone…..From Scientists to Governments to Common people….. An Aircraft is a very Sophisticated System with many complex technological Marvels working together…..Unless one masters these subsystems Indigenously one can never Expect to be Self Reliant in this field….. These Subsystems include The Airframe Design , The Control Systems, The Softwares, The Air Refueling Probes, The Avionics, the Weapons, The EW Suites, The Seat Ejectors, The Metallurgical and Manufacturing Processes, Testing and Most Importantly the Engines…..These are formed overtime and are essentially an ecosystem…..we need to build this first to start decoupling And becoming completely independent of foreign vendors and nations….India Lacks Most of them…..we are developing these inhouse but are still a long way to go and a lot of Will power, Man Power, Checks and Balances and Selflessness needed to get there….but there is also a lack of awareness in general public and Laxity and distrust shown by the Government, Beurocracy and The Airforce in these projects…..We need to fix them in order to get our Aatmanirbhar journey flowing….
Two things to note. The fact that this program is going on is a clear indication that F-35 is not a viable aircraft for any strategically independent country. And second, why not join this program ourselves? AMCA isn't really getting very far, and joining this program will be a great opportunity to further our knowledge. Alternatively, we could do domestic production of Su-57 to achieve the same result, but i think GCAP is preferable or maybe both.
Alternative development options should always be explored by India. Sitting on projects for years doesn't work, every day is a new day & important in technological world.
Can someone explain what is the definition of 6th gen fighter jet? Because I think it's stupid, when we look at F16, F15 or F18 we see those aircrafts have been upgraded in block terminology but instead using the same upgrades for 5th gen we are witnessing a jump to 6th gen which is dumb. Pls explain what distinguishes the 5th and 6th gen fighter, cause if it's improved avionics, radar and electronics suite then I believe it's 5th gen block 2 but instead they are calling it 6th gen. As of today neither UK, Japan or US can define what is 6th fighter jet.
Both should be developed parallely.
Well making next generation or 6th generation jet from scrap not easy task , second thing is either USA or this GGAP or France German spain trio next generation jet are already in advance phase , and there is no chance for India to make a good quality 5th or 6th generation jet engine on own , we are now good on avinocs , on weapons ,on self protection suite during time , we just need a good jet so IMO joining any of two outside USA programme is most viable option on many points 1. this need a lot of raw material so if we see all these country they have very less raw materials 2. Is manpower, manpower is not cheap there so india could offer there manpower to reduce cost 3. Among all these countries india need is much higher and it will growing much higher and will be stand on 3rd after 2035 passing Russia to it's clearly indicate that it's beneficial for those two programs to involve india as a major investor and india itself demand a lot of learning producing in india by india due to procurement numbers … So IMO we do not to waste our time and join one of them .. and IMO France German spain led program is good coz it's section proof from US embargo, Russia also not much angry on this due to Germany France are take neutral stance … And we can also used these programme avionics in our Tejas mk2 and it's future upgradation coz Tejas mk2 will be there be for many decades for patrolling , making cost low and for other reasons . Tejas mk2 will be our F16 atleast for next 5 decades if we do proper upgradation..
IAF never miss to sabotage home grown products. Same IAF take 3 years to decide whether FGFA or AMCA after Russia betrayed IAF and wasting 250million they run for DRDO and now when AMCA file on their table they start looking again for collaboration. Same company BAE systems say we see india as some sub systems software developer and no more. But IAF aur ARMY hai ki Gori chamdi ka pyar khatam hi nahi hota.
What a horrible diction!!
No to joining GCAP programme, nothing in it for india expect provide money to UK,Japan & italy, than give these countries a large market for export. Lets not forget it takes alot of money to develop these planes. Mitsubishi,rolls royce etc etc want to recoup their investment and than make money from india
We should tie up with Japan and Bae systems for amca …….
India can use amca and while also buying gcap
i think we should join this program seroiusly nobody belives in amca program not even their own agency.
GCAP has nothing to offer Bharat, so collaboration is off the table. The very last thing any Western nation would want is for Bharat to become in fact आत्मनिर्भर भारत. How will they sanction Bharat when Bharat has thorium reactors, the Rupee is one of the worlds reserve currencies and a thermonuclear power with ICBMs? The only option is to invest billions in buying a flying test bed, so induction of Kaveri engine can be sped up, and Ganga which is Kaveri 2.0 can be started. We can make it at home for nothing!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCA6aoH0wWQ
Let DRDO develop AMCA, at the same time if viable we need to join hands with west to develop 6th gen craft,,, you people give too much credit to drdo… drdo is a leech relying on them would be a grave mistake.
India strong 💪