Defense News , India ,UK ,Japan ,Italy :- A prominent delegation led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to embark on a two-day expedition to the United Kingdom from January 8. The visit aligns with the UK collaboration with Italy and Japan in the development of the 6th generation fighter jet, named the "Tempest".
In a bid to expand the project horizons, the "Tempest" partners have expressed interest in India joining their ranks. The prospect is anticipated to be a focal point during the bilateral meeting between Rajnath Singh and his UK counterpart, Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps.
The Ministry of Defence announced that discussions will encompass a broad spectrum of defense, security, and industrial cooperation issues.
Currently, India is actively engaged in the production of the 4th generation Light Combat Aircraft Tejas. However, the nation is poised to take a leap forward by creating an indigenous 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), slated for induction in the next 8-10 years. The AMCA, designed and manufactured in India, is expected to feature General Electric engines and Safran engines for two distinct versions, building upon the foundation laid by the Tejas, which employs a GE engine.
The UK, Italy, and Japan consortium aspires to surpass the capabilities of fifth-generation fighter jets. This collaboration has birthed the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP), along with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), formalized through a treaty signed by ministers from the three countries.
The GCAP seeks to usher in a new era of combat aviation, with the "Tempest" expected to be unveiled by 2035, coinciding with India rollout of the AMCA. Ongoing discussions involve the formation of a joint industrial construct for the GCAP, featuring representatives from Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and BAE Systems.
Last year, the three nations announced a "collaboration agreement" to foster long-term working arrangements and the maturation of concepts and capabilities for the "Tempest". Accompanying Rajnath Singh on this critical visit is a high-level Ministry of Defence delegation, comprising senior officials from DRDO, armed forces, Department of Defence, and Department of Defence Production.
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