During the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue held in Bengaluru this February, India expressed its interest in joining France’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at developing a sixth-generation fighter jet. This proposal was presented by India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a meeting with France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin.
India’s intent to co-develop and co-manufacture the advanced combat aircraft under the FCAS program marks a significant move in defense-industrial cooperation between New Delhi and Paris. Originally launched by France and Germany in 2017, with Spain joining in 2019, India’s participation would expand the collaborative efforts.
The FCAS program focuses on creating a next-generation air combat system, incorporating unmanned systems and advanced network-centric warfare capabilities. In addition to this collaboration, India also promoted the export of its indigenous Pinaka Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher system to France, with discussions reportedly progressing positively.
India’s push for involvement in the sixth-generation fighter development coincides with its ongoing efforts in its own fifth-generation stealth program, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Approved in May 2025, the AMCA is expected to have its first flight around 2028-29, with induction planned by 2035. This initiative follows India’s previous joint Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft project with Russia, which was discontinued in 2018.
India’s defense exports have reached a record high of ₹23,620 crore, with the government aiming for ₹3 lakh crore in defense manufacturing and ₹50,000 crore in exports by 2029. The country’s strategic move towards collaboration with France reflects its broader ambitions in the global defense arena.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 3rd, 2026
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