Japan has formally invited India to join the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), a major international initiative led by Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy to develop a sixth-generation fighter jet by 2035. This strategic outreach, revealed by Japanese government sources on April 30, 2025, is intended to both distribute the immense financial burden of the project and to deepen security cooperation with India, a nation increasingly central to Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
The GCAP project, launched in December 2022, aims to produce a next-generation stealth fighter to replace ageing fleets such as Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2 and the UK and Italy’s Eurofighter Typhoon. The envisioned aircraft will feature advanced stealth, artificial intelligence, networked warfare capabilities, and a modular design for future upgrades. Its projected cost exceeds $40 billion, prompting the core partners to seek additional collaborators to share expenses and expand industrial benefits.
Japan’s proposal was presented to Indian officials during a delegation’s visit to New Delhi in February 2025. The Indian government, under its “Make in India” initiative, has shown interest in the offer, recognising the potential for technology transfer, local manufacturing, and access to cutting-edge aerospace technologies. India’s growing defence industry, highlighted by the indigenous HAL TEJAS fighter jet and the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, positions it as a valuable partner. However, the slow pace of domestic fighter development and the urgent need to modernise the Indian Air Force make GCAP participation an attractive option.
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Strategically, Japan’s invitation reflects a desire to strengthen the Indo-Pacific security architecture amid China’s rapid military modernisation and the unveiling of its own sixth-generation fighter concept, the J-36, in April 2025. India’s involvement in GCAP would not only enhance its air-power but also reinforce its alignment with key regional partners, especially as part of the Quad grouping alongside the US, Australia, and Japan.
Despite these opportunities, significant challenges remain. Japan and its partners have expressed concerns about the security of sensitive GCAP technologies, particularly given India’s longstanding defence ties with Russia and its operational use of Russian systems like the S-400. There are also apprehensions about possible technology leakage and divergence over export controls or third-party transfers. Additionally, India’s participation could heighten tensions with Pakistan, which may respond by deepening its own defence collaboration with China.
India’s decision on joining GCAP will be influenced by multiple factors: the promise of advanced technology and strategic partnerships, the need to accelerate air force modernization, the imperative of domestic manufacturing, and the geopolitical risks associated with shifting alliances. If India accepts the invitation, it could gain early access to sixth-generation fighter capabilities, reduce reliance on Russian arms, and bolster its role as a security provider in the Indo-Pacific. However, it will need to carefully navigate concerns about technology security and the potential impact on its existing defence relationships.
India’s decision, however, is layered with complexities. On one hand, participation in GCAP aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative and its broader strategy to expand domestic defence manufacturing through international collaboration. It also fits within the deepening India-Japan defence relationship, exemplified by regular joint military exercises such as Dharma Guardian, which underscore shared commitments to regional stability and operational interoperability.
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On the other hand, concerns persist within the GCAP consortium about India’s longstanding defence ties with Russia, particularly its operational use of Russian systems like the S-400. These ties raise apprehensions about potential technology leakage, export controls, and divergent strategic interests, especially among the UK and Italy, who are wary of sensitive military technologies being exposed beyond the consortium.
Geopolitical rivalries further complicate the calculus. India must weigh the benefits of advanced technology access and enhanced deterrence against China against the risks of straining its multi-aligned foreign policy, which includes balancing relations with Russia and Western partners. Additionally, domestic priorities-such as boosting indigenous defence capabilities and maintaining strategic autonomy-will heavily influence New Delhi’s approach.
As GCAP advances toward full-scale development in 2025, with a prototype expected by 2027, the global defence community will closely monitor whether India chooses to join this next-generation fighter project. India’s participation could potentially redefine regional alliances, alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, and set new benchmarks for multinational defence cooperation. However, if New Delhi’s strategic caution prevails, prioritising technology security and non-alignment, it may opt for a more measured engagement or seek alternative avenues to advance its air combat capabilities.
Ultimately, the outcome will hinge on India’s ability to reconcile its domestic ambitions, regional security imperatives, and global aspirations with the technological and geopolitical realities of the GCAP partnership. Whether India’s strategic calculus aligns with Japan’s vision or is tempered by caution, the decision will have far-reaching implications for the Indo-Pacific’s security landscape for decades to come.
Japan’s invitation to India for GCAP participation is a landmark development that could reshape military balances in the Indo-Pacific. It underscores the growing importance of India in regional security, the urgency of countering China’s military advances, and the complex interplay of economic, technological, and strategic interests that will define the next era of fighter aircraft development.
Based On BM Report
Agencies
