India has been approached by Japan to participate in the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet, as part of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), alongside the United Kingdom and Italy. The proposal aims to distribute the programme’s significant development costs among a broader group of participating countries.
According to information shared by a Japanese government source, officials held discussions with Indian counterparts in February, outlining the GCAP framework and exploring India’s potential role. The project is focused on the design and manufacturing of a sixth-generation combat aircraft featuring advanced technologies.
India’s interest aligns with its broader efforts to expand domestic defence production. Through its current manufacturing initiatives, the Indian government has been encouraging foreign collaboration to enhance local weapons production capabilities. However, factors such as India's strategic ties with Russia and regional military tensions may influence the outcome of its deliberations.
Japan views defence cooperation with India as a strategic priority, citing shared interests in regional stability. The two countries already engage in regular defence dialogues and military exercises.
GCAP is being led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, and Leonardo, and seeks to develop a new fighter aircraft platform with integrated stealth, sensor fusion, and networked warfare capabilities for deployment in the 2030s.
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