India is preparing to formally launch its partnership with France to co-develop a next-generation jet engine for its indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter and other advanced platforms. This initiative is expected to further strengthen the already robust strategic ties between the two nations.
According to a report published by TOI, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will soon seek approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security for the ambitious project with French aerospace giant Safran.
The collaboration will involve complete technology transfer and aims to jointly design, develop, test, qualify, certify, and manufacture the new 120-kilonewton engines within India.
"DRDO has cleared the proposal by Safran, which already makes a variety of helicopter engines in India, as the best option for the twin-engine fifth-generation fighter called AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft). The project, with DRDO's lab Gas Turbine Research Establishment, would cost almost $7 billion," an official was quoted as saying by TOI.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, speaking at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum Friday, also confirmed the impending project. "We have taken steps forward to build our fifth-generation fighter aircraft. We have also moved towards manufacturing the aircraft's engine in India itself. We are about to start engine manufacturing work in India with the French company Safran," Singh said.
India has faced a long-standing problem in producing an aero-engine with the necessary thrust-to-weight ratio, which has been a major hurdle for its indigenous fighter jet programs.
In July 2023, HAL had reported that the Tejas Mark-1A was behind schedule due to a two-year delay in the delivery of 99 GE-F404 turbofan engines contracted to General Electric, USA for Rs 5,375 crores in August 2021 on behalf of the Indian Air Force. Added to these delays, we have seen peripheral issues which included delayed weapons loading and the necessary radar integration challenge for the aircraft before testing.
We also note that HAL and GE have not concluded a co-production arrangement for the GE-F414 engines which deliver 98 kilonewtons of thrust. The proposed deal is valued at ~$1.5 billion, the deal is cube-engineered around an 80% technology transfer towards powering the forthcoming Tejas Mark-2.
"The project for jet engine with Safran will have full IP (intellectual property) ownership & licencing control by India. It will create an entire ecosystem for the manufacture of aero-engines in India, with complete supply chain development," an official said.
This action comes after the Defence Ministry approved a new "program execution model" in May for the prototype phase of the 25-tonne AMCA, designed to facilitate greater private sector participation.
As per current timelines, the AMCA—with its required thrust-to- weight ratio, high level of sensor fusion, and stealth requirements such as an internal weapons bay and "serpentine air-intake"—is expected to move into production not before 2035.
The Indian Air Force plans to buy seven squadrons of the high-cost AMCA, totaling 126 jets. The first two squadrons will be fitted with American GE-F414 engines while the last five squadrons will be provided with the new 120-kilonewton engines.
