The Ministry of Defence has recommended a strategic collaboration with France to co-develop next-generation fighter jet engines, marking a major breakthrough for a high-value project that promises to bring advanced design and manufacturing technologies to India — a critical step towards self-reliance in defence, according to The Economic Times.
Citing official sources, the report said the decision followed a detailed consultative process involving stakeholders and a high-level technical committee that thoroughly examined various aspects of fighter jet engine manufacturing. The French proposal emerged as more beneficial for India, leading to the ministry's recommendation in its favour.
The Rs 61,000 crore project aims to jointly develop a 120kN thrust engine that will power future combat platforms, including the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has played a key role in pushing forward plans to establish an indigenous engine development and manufacturing ecosystem, the report noted.
The ministry had assessed competing offers from France's Safran and the UK’s Rolls Royce, with a detailed evaluation of technical parameters and cost implications. Safran's proposal, which includes full technology transfer, aligns with AMCA’s development timeline and had been under consideration earlier as well.
As per the current plan, the first AMCA squadrons are likely to be powered by US-made GE-414 engines, while efforts will continue in parallel to develop a fully indigenous propulsion system. Fighter jet engines are among the most complex components in aerospace manufacturing, and only a handful of nations possess the necessary expertise.
India is projected to require over 250 next-gen engines in the next decade. Currently, all Indian fighter jets are equipped with foreign-origin engines. A significant portion of a fighter jet’s cost goes towards the engine and its long-term maintenance.
Citing official sources, the report said the decision followed a detailed consultative process involving stakeholders and a high-level technical committee that thoroughly examined various aspects of fighter jet engine manufacturing. The French proposal emerged as more beneficial for India, leading to the ministry's recommendation in its favour.
The Rs 61,000 crore project aims to jointly develop a 120kN thrust engine that will power future combat platforms, including the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has played a key role in pushing forward plans to establish an indigenous engine development and manufacturing ecosystem, the report noted.
The ministry had assessed competing offers from France's Safran and the UK’s Rolls Royce, with a detailed evaluation of technical parameters and cost implications. Safran's proposal, which includes full technology transfer, aligns with AMCA’s development timeline and had been under consideration earlier as well.
As per the current plan, the first AMCA squadrons are likely to be powered by US-made GE-414 engines, while efforts will continue in parallel to develop a fully indigenous propulsion system. Fighter jet engines are among the most complex components in aerospace manufacturing, and only a handful of nations possess the necessary expertise.
India is projected to require over 250 next-gen engines in the next decade. Currently, all Indian fighter jets are equipped with foreign-origin engines. A significant portion of a fighter jet’s cost goes towards the engine and its long-term maintenance.
If India builds a engine on its own wouldnt Rafale lose its market , why would they help us and lose future sales ?
They can not help us and loose the present sale too.
Maybe there could be a legal binding that acquisition of more rafale depends on successful ToT n IPR.
Just making guesses and assumptions off the top of my head.
Cause the other scenario is that MoD is clueless (Anthony
) and that's way too scary. So, happy thoughts!
We're also working on a fully domestic 130KN next-gen engine based on our experience of Kaveri. This project is different from engine JV for AMCA.
This engine development program is not a loss for France as far as Rafale is concerned because 1) India will be largest operator of Rafale after France, 2) Technical qualification and evaluation for France's next gen engine for 6 th gen fighter through this engine without spending huge money, hence their own next gen engine will be cost effective, 3) Even France can consider this JV engine in their Rafale F5 or F6 version as it'll be easily integrable, lower production cost in India, less pressure on French Production line of Safran, 4) Having India as a strategic ally in Indo-Pacefic ( even much closer influence than USA) will enhance the geo-strategic position of France against Russia & China, 5) In future India can collaborate in development of a CATOBAR aircraft carrier on nuclear propulsion with France as they have expertise in this field too.
How come Tata Elxsi not meet the minimum qualifications criteria?
Don't know, their evaluation was not explained. In the structural parts tender and for TASL there was full breakup was shown but in this tender it is not given. A team usually visit for evaluation.
Don't know about that but, there plans for a jet engine for heavy fighter jets.Fellas, I think we are slowly losing this guy. Amen.
The plan will probably move to 150+kn given how amca's 110kn moved to 120kn
Attachments
The GTRE's 130KN jet-engine facility will host slew of new engines, some based on Kaveri, some all new.
If the GTRE themselves are projecting a need of a 125-145 KN TF can somebody explain why's it they've designed a test facility with a max thrust of 130 KN ?
I mean are we going in for another such facility upto say 180 KN when we get down to developing the 130-140 KN + TF.
I mean how does this work exactly. Reminds me of what a professor in my college said back in the day about planning . He was referring to the Konkan Railway which in significant stretches was planning on a single line.
The implication being at some point they'd have to go in for dual lines at the very minimum if not more. What happens then ? You spend 10 times the amount likely more since surrounding property prices have sky rocketed given the proximity to the KR on land acquisition apart from the time spent on acquisition of this land seeing it through court battles , political agitations , environmental objections etc .
Bunch of phucking short sighted illiterate chutiyas we have at the helm.
In my opinion, France won't risk its next gen stealth engine for the sake of sales of Rafales. This project is more important.
Your avg delusional Pedostani...... Na G@@nd na Chuch$, Baatein uchi uchi
why tf they are outsourcing every thing? what the hell permanent employees are doing?
typical babu style of development.
this way we will never be able to develop top secret aircraft.
In this clip, we can see that the IRST housing has changed. It is now aligned with the centreline, and the unnecessary fairing from the older config is gone.We had also seen this change in the renders shown in a recent show by AajTak.
Afaik, the dome size is the same as that of the LCA AF Mk2 (250mm) but the overall housing (of what's inside the aircraft) is more compact.
Afaik, the dome size is the same as that of the LCA AF Mk2 (250mm) but the overall housing (of what's inside the aircraft) is more compact.