India and Italy Eyeing Collaboration on Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) Sixth-Gen Fighter Jet

India and Italy are strengthening their defence partnership, with a focus on potential collaboration in the development of the sixth-generation Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) fighter jet. This initiative, along with other key agreements, highlights the growing defence and industrial cooperation between the two nations, as outlined in the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29.

This comprehensive plan aims to foster collaboration across multiple defence sectors. A key element is the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and the Italian Industries Federation for Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AIAD). This agreement will facilitate joint ventures, technology transfers, and co-development opportunities.

The plan also emphasizes increased interaction between the armed forces of both nations, particularly in light of Italy's growing interest in the Indo-Pacific region. This will enhance interoperability and collaboration through structured agreements.

To further solidify their partnership, India and Italy are working towards agreements for the mutual protection and exchange of classified information and for cooperation in maritime and port security.

A significant development is Italy's interest in including India in the ambitious GCAP, a sixth-generation fighter jet project spearheaded by Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Discussions on expanding the GCAP consortium took place at the G20 Summit in Brazil, with Italy recognizing India's growing aerospace and defence capabilities.

For India, joining GCAP presents an opportunity to accelerate its indigenous fighter jet programs and gain access to advanced technologies through collaborative development. The GCAP project represents cutting-edge military technology, focusing on advanced stealth, artificial intelligence, and network-centric warfare capabilities.

This collaboration comes as India is pushing for greater self-reliance in defence production. Stronger ties with Italy could provide access to critical technologies and foster a more robust domestic defence ecosystem.

For Italy, partnering with India offers access to one of the world's largest defence markets and strengthens its strategic footprint in the Indo-Pacific region. This burgeoning defence partnership holds significant potential for both nations, promising to enhance their defence capabilities and contribute to regional stability.

 

[sanket]

I dont think IAF have any Interest in the GCAP at the moment IAF is already supporting Indigenous stealth Fighter jet AMCA

 

[Pad UwU]

Yeah boy we should join GCAP instead of waiting the AMCA time frame bomb... GCAP is way way better as alternative plan if we can't develop a 5gen.... We might as well buy Korean kf21 mk2/3 as interim aircraft if AMCA is just a myth😺🔥🔥🔥

why would we need burden ourselves if we already see that HAL and DRDO plus GoI agencies contradict reality

 

[Hardik]

I dont think IAF have any Interest in the GCAP at the moment IAF is already supporting Indigenous stealth Fighter jet AMCA

But AMCA and GCAP are both different generation projects, I definitely think india should invest in it u

 

[sas]

It's better we join the GCAP for there will be sharing expertise and technology where we are currently lacking. Concrete on Tejas Mk2 for numbers and then leapfrog with GCAP for high tech engagement with peer adversaries.

 

[Sudha]

But AMCA and GCAP are both different generation projects, I definitely think india should invest in it u

We are always one gen behind the world. If first prototype of AMCA is flown in 2035 the adversaries will be building the prototype of 6th gen fighters by that time. So it will be advantageous to Bharat. But the question of TOT will not happen. The "parts" of the respective tech will be supplied to the others, but actual tech will be with the respective nations which has developed it. Since Bharat might get an observer status, it will be better for Bharat to simultaneously start a sixth gen fighter as soon as the final design for AMCA (hopefully by 2025-27) is given to HAL to develop the prototype.

 

[tipoo2]

I hope we don't bungle at least getting observer status on one if not both European sixth gen projects. It could both provide key inputs and ideas for AMCA as well as highlight what we want in a sixth gen successor ahead of time.

Also not a bad idea I think to dual track it, joining one of these programs as a partner while continuing on with AMCA, so when the time comes we at least have the option to buy a cutting edge sixth gen fighter in smaller numbers so we at least have a qualitative edge over China for once in decades, unlike the scenario now where there's no great fifth gen option on the table for us and we're probably going to be 15 years behind China to it

 

[Sudha]

Yeah boy we should join GCAP instead of waiting the AMCA time frame bomb... GCAP is way way better as alternative plan if we can't develop a 5gen.... We might as well buy Korean kf21 mk2/3 as interim aircraft if AMCA is just a myth😺🔥🔥🔥

why would we need burden ourselves if we already see that HAL and DRDO plus GoI agencies contradict reality

Think most of the tech of 5th gen will be needed for 6th gen. So thanks no, we should go forward with AMCA & complete it.

 

[tipoo2]

Think most of the tech of 5th gen will be needed for 6th gen. So thanks no, we should go forward with AMCA & complete it.

I think we should dual track it, continue on with AMCA while also joining one of these programs as a partner so that we at least have the option to buy 6th gen in a timely manner, unlike there being no great fifth gen options on the table for us now and being 15 years behind China

At this rate we'll just repeat being that far behind China to 6th gen again, but one of these programs with the option for a small purchase would probably at least give us a qualitative deterrent, and then a larger number later with our own 6th gen

 

[Sridhar]

I dont think IAF have any Interest in the GCAP at the moment IAF is already supporting Indigenous stealth Fighter jet AMCA

AMCA is a 5th gen fighter jet project. The topic is aboutnpossible collaboration on 6th gen fighter programme.

 

[tipoo2]

We are always one gen behind the world. If first prototype of AMCA is flown in 2035 the adversaries will be building the prototype of 6th gen fighters by that time. So it will be advantageous to Bharat. But the question of TOT will not happen. The "parts" of the respective tech will be supplied to the others, but actual tech will be with the respective nations which has developed it. Since Bharat might get an observer status, it will be better for Bharat to simultaneously start a sixth gen fighter as soon as the final design for AMCA (hopefully by 2025-27) is given to HAL to develop the prototype.

Not just building prototypes, at least two sixth gen programs will probably have flown by then and been years into development and on to prod units, that being China and the US

 

[tasks discussion]

Indegenous 5th generation is enough, AMCA. Once it ready then we can transition to 6th Gen easily. Indegenous technologies are the recipe for best taste in long term, nothing else. You can't visit hotels daily, finally you have come to your home kitchen. They just need partners for money, nothing else. They have also developed 4++ gen technologies which India has already developed. They are working on 6th Gen without 5th technologies, so they are not advanced. We are going in phases based manner which is good and long term requirement.

 

[PKPRS]

I dont think IAF have any Interest in the GCAP at the moment IAF is already supporting Indigenous stealth Fighter jet AMCA

If this is true then EF-Typhoon is the winner of MRFA, let Dassault keep Rafale.

 

[Kush]

Indegenous 5th generation is enough, AMCA. Once it ready then we can transition to 6th Gen easily. Indegenous technologies are the recipe for best taste in long term, nothing else. You can't visit hotels daily, finally you have come to your home kitchen. They just need partners for money, nothing else. They have also developed 4++ gen technologies which India has already developed. They are working on 6th Gen without 5th technologies, so they are not advanced. We are going in phases based manner which is good and long term requirement.

Yes but production rate is problem by time we done induction of amca in large no. We will need to replace tejas and su 30 so its best to join this program and we can purchase small amount of these 6th gen jets and later develop either 6th or 7th gen

 

[Saptarshi Dasgupta]

Fundamental reason for India seeking observer status in Franco German Spanish FCAS and Italian Japanese British GCAP is to understand the sixth generation technologies. We know what fifth gen tech is. AESA, Super Cruise, Stealth, May be thrust vectoring and yes wide area display and DAS in some. Countries are still formulating sixth gen tech. Adaptive life cycle engine, gAN AESA, energy weapons, drone and wingman control, and possibility to fight in space are some of the techs envisaged now. Until India joins the research programs of others India can’t. Now Boeing Lockheed won’t make us join NGAD. China won’t make us join in Baidi, Russian Mig-41 is as mysterious as Vladimir Putin. So our options are clear. Let us join as observers in two European 6th gen jet programs. Learn those technologies and put in AmCa MK2 to make it 5th Gen and AMCA MK3 can be made 6th gen simple

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

Go for it. This invitation to participate in GCAP is great opportunity to gain knowledge which will be certainly give Indian engineers the advance technology knowhow from this program. If India miss the boat we will neither nor there in our own Indigenous fighter programmes. This is bcoz the roll out of AMCA in 2035 is tentative dateline so grab this opportunity to make the best out of it. We need to collaborate with someone who has the knowledge and experience.

 

[Pad UwU]

Indegenous 5th generation is enough, AMCA. Once it ready then we can transition to 6th Gen easily. Indegenous technologies are the recipe for best taste in long term, nothing else. You can't visit hotels daily, finally you have come to your home kitchen. They just need partners for money, nothing else. They have also developed 4++ gen technologies which India has already developed. They are working on 6th Gen without 5th technologies, so they are not advanced. We are going in phases based manner which is good and long term requirement.

You didn't even know that those 3 countries founding members of GCAP are tier 1 supplier and manufacture of big parts of f35 so basically they know and how to build a proper 5gen but didn't bother to waste time and money so in the end they rather skip it and push to building a 6gen.... While us wasted 15yrs already and counting waiting for a prototype of AMCA that is still in drawing board LMAO 😹😹😹...

fun fact:
the other European 6gen program is doesn't really have experience in 6gen only Germany has very minor participation in f35 while Spain and France neither have anything so they decided to just skip... Belgium too as observer is just observing because that's the only role they are granted from FCAS NGF project

 

[Sandeep]

So far the British and French 6th generation jet program have already started but they have already negotiated the technology requirements, development, work share agreements, type of weapons to use, manufacturing agreements, technology development agreements, project cost and contribution, IPR holders etc.

At this stage even if India wanted to join either program they won’t change any of the agreements that they have already made between them. Also at best all they want is money to help finance their project and use India as a supplier of any parts, components or equipment etc. They won’t transfer 100% of the technology to us or allow us to manufacture the 100% of the jet indigenously as we can manufacture it much more cheaply than what they can. This would wipe out their own companies sales and businesses who were involved and helped to develop the jet so they don’t want any cheaper competition which is what India is.

 

[Mandalika Srirama murthy]

I feel Bharat alone cannot go to invest in money and technology for a 6th generation Jet, she lacks both and this an opportune moment to join them instead of getting woefully lagging behind others.