According to Kyodo on April 30, 2025, Japan has proposed that India join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter development initiative jointly led by Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy. A Japanese government official confirmed that representatives visited India in February 2025 to brief Indian authorities on the GCAP and extend an invitation to participate. The objective was to explore burden-sharing opportunities in response to the high financial costs of development, as well as to strengthen defense cooperation with India, which is already a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region.
According to the Japanese side, the Modi government showed interest, viewing the proposal as consistent with its “Make in India” initiative focused on increasing domestic defense production. However, concerns have been raised within Japan’s defense establishment regarding India’s longstanding defense relationship with Russia, specifically its operational use of the S-400 air defense system. Japanese officials noted that cooperation with India might raise concerns among the United Kingdom and Italy, particularly due to the sensitivity of advanced military technologies, potential for divergence over export controls or third-party technology transfers, and differing positions on defense relations with Russia. One Japanese defense ministry source voiced apprehension that India might benefit from the program while risking potential technology leakage, stating bluntly, “Are we sure we won’t just have our technology extracted?”
Japan’s proposal to India follows multiple previous efforts by GCAP stakeholders to evaluate or respond to expressions of interest from other countries. Saudi Arabia has sought to join the program and engaged in direct negotiations. Italy and the United Kingdom have both signaled some level of willingness to consider its participation. Japan has opposed the inclusion of Saudi Arabia, citing the risk of delays to the program’s timeline and the potential for complications involving defense export policies. Saudi Arabia has stated that any participation must involve localized industrial roles, in line with its national objectives to reinvest 50% of defense spending domestically by 2030. In December 2024, Leonardo’s CEO indicated openness to Saudi involvement if the United Kingdom reduced its role following a review by the new government. Discussions continued into 2025, with further statements from Italian and Saudi officials confirming that potential pathways remained under consideration.