A Parliamentary Standing Committee report on Defence has sought a detailed roadmap from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on India’s plans to develop a sixth-generation fighter aircraft, while noting that the Ministry has initiated efforts to join the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme spearheaded by France.

In its 25th Report, tabled in Parliament on Friday (August 7, 2026), the committee welcomed the Ministry’s response that it had begun “concerted efforts” to co-join the sixth-generation fighter aircraft development programme, FCAS. However, it asked the Ministry to furnish a comprehensive status report on the initiative.

The Committee have been informed that two consortia are working on the sixth-generation aircraft. One is a consortium of the U.K., Italy, and Japan; the other is a consortium of France and Germany, the report reads.

It further reads that the Committee has also been informed that the Air Force will try to join forces with one of the consortia and begin considering a sixth-generation fighter immediately with a view to ensure that they do not lag behind in procuring advanced aircraft.

The Committee said that in view of technical advancements in fighter aircraft technology globally, and to meet the present security scenario, technical upgradation of aircraft is a top priority to enhance combat capability.

The Committee recommended that the Ministry chalk out a trajectory and move forward the planning process for development and acquisition of Sixth-Generation (6G) aircraft.

The committee’s observations form part of its examination of the Government’s progress on recommendations made in its earlier report on the Defence Ministry’s Demands for Grants for 2026-27. The report was presented in the Lok Sabha and laid in the Rajya Sabha on August 7.

Published - August 07, 2026 10:29 pm IST