India steps up sixth-gen fighter push, moves to co-join French-led FCAS

NEW DELHI: The Defence ministry has initiated efforts to join the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) sixth-generation fighter aircraft programme, a parliamentary panel has said. The panel has also sought a clear roadmap and timeline for India’s acquisition of such advanced aircraft.In its report presented in Parliament on Friday, the parliamentary standing committee on defence said the Indian Air Force should move ahead with planning for sixth-generation aircraft to strengthen India’s air combat capabilities amid an increasingly air-centric warfare environment.“The Committee has been informed that two consortia are working on the sixth-generation aircraft. One is a consortium of the UK, Italy, and Japan and the another is a consortium of France and Germany and both are developing a