India’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has urged the government to fast-track funding for next-generation military technologies, including hypersonic glide missiles and sixth-generation fighter aircraft, stressing the need for dedicated resources, testing infrastructure, and clear timelines to avoid delays.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that work on hypersonic systems and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is progressing, while India is also exploring participation in international sixth-generation fighter programs spearheaded by France and other European partners.

The Parliamentary Committee has emphasised that India must accelerate investment in emerging defence technologies to match rapid global advances. It has recommended a dedicated budget head for “critical and latest technologies” to ensure that projects such as hypersonic missiles, glide weapons, and advanced combat aircraft are prioritised without funding bottlenecks.

The Committee noted that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is already working on next-generation systems.

The AMCA is being designed as a fifth-generation stealth combat aircraft with advanced battlefield capabilities, while plans are underway for sixth-generation fighters that will be network-centric and integrated with other platforms and ground-based systems.

A major focus area is the development of supersonic and hypersonic glide missile systems. These weapons combine extreme speed with manoeuvrability, making them exceptionally difficult to detect and intercept.

The Committee has recommended adequate funding, time-bound milestones, and testing facilities to support indigenous glide missile development, which it considers vital for future warfare dominated by networked systems.

The Ministry of Defence has informed the panel that hypersonic weapons travel at speeds of Mach 5 or more, at low altitudes, and are highly manoeuvrable. Such systems can reduce adversary decision-making time, strike from unexpected directions, and use high kinetic energy to penetrate hardened targets. India’s hypersonic program is progressing, with DRDO conducting scramjet propulsion tests and preparing glide missile trials.

The Committee also highlighted the importance of aligning India’s efforts with global sixth-generation fighter development. Two major consortia are currently working on sixth-generation aircraft: one involving the UK, Italy, and Japan, and another led by France and Germany.

India has initiated efforts to join the French-led Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, with the Air Force expected to collaborate with one of these consortia to avoid lagging behind in advanced aircraft acquisition.

The Committee has asked the Ministry to furnish a detailed roadmap for sixth-generation fighter development and acquisition, alongside updates on AMCA progress. It stressed that technical upgrades of aircraft are a top priority to enhance combat capability in today’s highly air-centric warfare environment.

By pushing for a dedicated allocation for critical technologies, the Committee aims to ensure timely implementation of strategic defence projects. It believes that indigenous development in hypersonic and advanced aircraft systems will strengthen India’s preparedness and support future platforms, including unmanned systems.

India’s pursuit of hypersonic glide missiles, sixth-generation fighters, and advanced stealth aircraft reflects its determination to achieve technological self-reliance and maintain parity with global military powers.

The Committee’s recommendations underscore the urgency of fast-tracking these projects to secure India’s long-term strategic advantage.

Agencies