Parliamentary Panel Urges Strategic Roadmap for 6th-Generation Fighter Aircraft

In a significant move to bolster India's long-term aerial combat capabilities, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has formally requested the Ministry of Defence to outline a clear roadmap for the development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft. As global military powers accelerate their transition toward next-generation platforms, the committee underscored that India must proactively invest in indigenous research and development to avoid technological obsolescence. Sixth-generation fighters are expected to feature advanced capabilities, including artificial intelligence-driven decision-making, enhanced stealth, directed-energy weapons, and seamless integration with unmanned 'loyal wingman' drones. The committee’s directive highlights a critical shift in India's defence policy: moving beyond the procurement of existing platforms toward the indigenous design and development of cutting-edge military technology. This push aligns with the broader 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, which seeks to reduce dependence on foreign imports and foster a robust domestic defence industrial ecosystem.