K Srinivasan
IT is a given that fighter aircraft – or for that matter any aircraft including commercial and general aviation machines – are designed and crafted across continents with one lead nation that creates and drives the project. The US-led F-35 and the British-Italian Tempest are two examples of such programmes.
One of the main reasons is that expenses associated with the programme are considerable, and the addition of more partners helps reduce the humongous financial costs of developing a clean sheet fighter jet. It also helps share the technological expertise of the partners and guarantees a certain number of production aircraft considering that several countries are involved.
GCAP opportunity
India was initially extended an invitation to participate in the Tempest programme, a precursor to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The GCAP is now a collaboration between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan for the development of a sixth-generation fighter aircraft. This programme will integrate their previously independent sixth-generation projects – the BAE Systems Tempest, led by the United Kingdom in partnership with Italy, and Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X. This collaboration was formalised through a treaty signed in Japan in December 2023.
For India, participation in the GCAP will be the opportunity to participate in the development of the world’s most sophisticated fighter jets. This involvement would undoubtedly enhance India’s defence capabilities while simultaneously promoting the growth of its aerospace sector through access to cutting-edge technology and joint research and development efforts. The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) initiative in India stands to gain significantly from the technological exchange and expertise fostered by this partnership.
Facile argument
But there is a facile argument made by many in the defence establishment that this will take away from India’s ‘Make in India’ odyssey. This a specious argument without any basis. While one is not going into the details, the fact of the matter is that all of our major aerospace projects have taken over two decades to fructify, and they continue to be riddled with all sorts of flaws – be it the powerplants (engines) or even the fuselage and frame. All of these programmes have been over budget, failed to deliver on time, have had huge overruns, and still do not elicit the confidence of the armed forces – especially the Indian Air Force. How can one Make in India under the circumstances?
Aerospace learning
Our problem is that every time a collaboration comes up, HAL throws its head into the ring and wants to be in the centre of the action. The C295 tie-up with Airbus and Tata is the first example of the private sector having got into aerospace manufacturing with a full assembly line. But that is not enough. While there would be lessons to learn in production, there is really no R&D or aerospace learning per se.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Washington to meet with President Donald Trump later this month, there will be pressure to buy more. It is more than likely that some defence deals will be on the table including co-production. The difference between the GCAP invitation and the US offer will be distinct – the US initiative will be simply to shift production from the US to India. There is no learning curve in such a collaboration. AMCA, on the other hand, would mean contributing and being part of something new and unique We have to make our choice wisely.
