With AMCA on the Horizon, India Could Gain First Hand Experience on 6th Gen Techs by Joining GCAP as Observer

China's recent unveiling of two 6th generation fighter jet programs has sent ripples through the global defence community, prompting nations like India to re-evaluate their strategies for maintaining a cutting edge in military aviation.

In this context, the question of whether India should join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as an observer has gained renewed relevance, especially given the interest expressed by founding members Italy, Japan, and the UK to expand their collaborative efforts.

Participating as an observer in GCAP could offer India invaluable insights into the latest advancements in 6th generation fighter technology. This includes exposure to cutting-edge developments in areas like advanced stealth capabilities, artificial intelligence integration, and autonomous systems, all of which are crucial for future air warfare.

Such knowledge could significantly benefit India's own AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) project, potentially accelerating its development and ensuring it remains competitive with emerging global threats.

Joining GCAP, even as an observer, would strengthen India's defence ties with key Western allies. This could open doors for technology transfers, co-development opportunities, and a more prominent role in global defence coalitions, particularly in the context of the strategic rivalry with China.

Furthermore, developing a 6th generation fighter independently would be an immensely expensive undertaking. By initially joining as an observer, with the potential for future full partnership, India could share knowledge and distribute the financial burden across multiple nations while still reaping the benefits of technological advancements.

However, India must carefully weigh the potential limitations. As an observer, access to core intellectual property and decision-making power might be restricted, potentially limiting the benefits unless a clear pathway to more substantial involvement is established.

Additionally, the interests of existing GCAP members might not perfectly align with India's specific strategic needs, and the program's focus might not fully address India's unique security challenges.

Despite these considerations, the strategic implications of China's aggressive pursuit of 6th generation fighter technology cannot be ignored. The GCAP presents a valuable opportunity for India not only for technological advancement but also for strategic positioning in a world where air superiority is increasingly intertwined with national security.

By carefully considering the potential benefits and limitations, India can make an informed decision about its participation in GCAP, ensuring it remains at the forefront of military aviation technology and maintains a strong defence posture in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

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[PKPRS]

Reactive as usual, what is the use of being observer, all we can do is buy their jets wasting billions of dollars, we will gain zero knowledge, MRFA eith at-least 80% TOT is the only option.

 

[Foxbat]

I really hope the GoI will be make an intelligent decision to participate in the GCAP project at least as an observer. There is so much to gain from this project as an observer which will be very useful in India's next generation fighter projects. This is one great opportunity offered by the Britain, Italy and Japan extended to India which no other countries were offered. Don't drag it for far too long just like many missed opportunities in the past.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Yes, immediately, if we can afford it, as we need to diversify our defence acquisition for the IAF fighter fleet:

4.5 gen Tejas Mk1a, Mk2,

5 gen minus TEDBF and

5.5 gen AMCA.

HAL, DRDO, ADA, and GTRE can continue perpetually in R&D or trial-and-error mode, with years of delays and excuses for the next 10-20-30 years.

We need 100+ MRFA 4.5 gen jets in a time-bound, professional, industrial manner with private industry players taking the lead and ownership in the next 19 years,

and 5th gen Su-57/F-35 in the short term (read: for the next 10-20 years) in limited numbers, if possible,

and Tempest for 6th gen with the UK, Japan, and Italy, if we can afford it.

 

[sujit raj]

Now that Italy is also intrested, we should join the program as a active user, which will make sense budget wise and Technology wise, The scale of production will bring the cost very easily and you will get insights into a more advanced program , where you can borrow some technology AMCA and keep it relavant with sixth gen.

 

[Anonymus]

Reactive as usual, what is the use of being observer, all we can do is buy their jets wasting billions of dollars, we will gain zero knowledge, MRFA eith at-least 80% TOT is the only option.

What kind of knowledge will gain in 4.5 gen jets which we are already manufacturing and upgrading.

 

[GMR]

Not as observer, participate as a partner.. don't add this oppertunity in IAF's existing list of "missed chances".

 

[Chinese eater]

The European sixth-generation fighter program is a circus with no serious investment from dead European economy countries. Nobody wants to invest heavily in 6th-gen fighter aircraft, and they are 100% dependent on America's off-the-shelf fighter aircraft sales and American political support.

Europe only wants India to join to suck billions.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Negotiate co development of engines and components we are not able to produce. Make academia, defense labs and startups design next gen electronic warfare equipment, Helmet displays and sensor fusion tech in India.

 

[PKPRS]

What kind of knowledge will gain in 4.5 gen jets which we are already manufacturing and upgrading.

We can only make 50-60% of 4.5 gen jets, still importing the rest, we don’t have proper eco System including Supply Chain, which needs to be in place to make jets faster.

 

[Pad UwU]

Better to join earlier to GCAP tempest as it's one of it's partner unlike the FCAS NGF who's only offering as observer status partner while only open for EU country member and not outside of it's region.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

Unless and until India has the real conviction, aggression, and resolve to DO THINGS ON ITS OWN, no amount of "observing" will help.

The fact is that India still doesn't have its squadron full of even 4.5-gen fighter jets of its own, and gen 5 has not even kick-started. And India should aspire for gen 6?

YEAH RIGHT.

 

[FROST]

Participating in DCPA is good and beneficial if only the dependable, intelligent and quite absorbing candidates are absorbed in the group not withstanding the pressures of opposition parties with caste equations

 

[Sandeep]

India should join as an observer and see what kind of technology and capabilities that it will have. But we should also start our own 6th generation jet program ourselves right now as it will take time to develop. This time it should be a joint project with DRDO, private sector companies and correct people with the talent who can develop the jet.

 

[Sudha]

I think Bharat should invest in GCAP after getting an undertaking that she will not be refused the plane/parts depending on the geopolitical goals of the partners or the US. If the partners fail to honor this, then the entire amount of investment needs to be reimbursed with interest. Having said that, Bharat will have access to high-tech parts as well as engine tech, which can be used for AMCA. For too long, HAL has been a bottleneck in Bharat's aeronautical industry.

 

[MSN]

This article precisely reflects what has been happening in the Indian defence think tank since the 1950’s. The bottom line that always remains is “to distract &/or kill Indigenous development in the Indian defence sector”. And US and Russian moles sitting in South Block have been doing it perfectly for the last 75 years.
From Maruat to Tejas, this policy is going on to push and sell inferior or strip-down armaments to India under the name of advanced weaponry to kill Indian efforts and to generate funds for the development of the Western defence sector.
Here, too, the writer forgot to mention the availability of Rafel jets with the IAF. He noted the threat of 5G and 6G fighters but conveniently forgot Chinese capabilities to develop the required jet engine technology, which is lagging in supporting those advanced fighters. The world knows that Chinese 4G fighters fly with Russian jet engines.
I have never encountered an article that discusses the correct use or updates of available Indian firepower.

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

I strongly believe India should study the proposals and participate in the GCAP project development before letting this opportunity slip away and regretting it is too little, too late. There is so much to learn and gain in terms of the latest advancements in technology. Meanwhile, the GoI should seriously consider acquiring 114 MRFA as an immediate measure to bolster the IAF's air power while uncertainties in the progression of Mk1A, Mk2, and AMCA timelines are resolved.