India and France Collaborate on ₹61,000 Crore Next-Gen Fighter Jet Engine Development
The Ministry of Defence has proposed a partnership with France to jointly develop next-generation fighter jet engines, a significant step aimed at enhancing advanced manufacturing and design technologies and progressing towards self-reliance.
According to sources, a decision was reached to recommend collaboration with France after a thorough consultative process. This process involved gathering feedback from stakeholders and a technical committee that examined all facets of fighter jet engine production, ultimately finding the French proposal more advantageous for India.
The ₹61,000 crore initiative will see India and France collaborate to develop a 120kn fighter jet engine, intended for use in future platforms like the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been instrumental in advancing plans to create a domestic fighter engine and establish a manufacturing ecosystem within India.
The ministry assessed proposals from France's Safran and the UK's Rolls Royce, scrutinizing both the technical details and potential costs. The French proposal, which includes a full technology transfer, was previously presented by Safran, outlining a development timeline compatible with the AMCA's schedule.
Currently, it is anticipated that the initial AMCA units may be equipped with US-manufactured GE 414 engines, while efforts to develop a native power plant continue concurrently. A fighter aircraft's engine is crucial, and only a limited number of countries have mastered this technology. Estimates suggest that India will need over 250 of these next-generation engines in the next decade.
Presently, all Indian fighter jets operate with foreign-manufactured engines. A substantial portion of a fighter jet's cost is attributed to its engine and maintenance. Although India had initiated the Kaveri project to create an indigenous engine, it failed to produce adequate thrust. A variant of the Kaveri is now being developed for unmanned combat aerial vehicles.
India is also in discussions with the US concerning technology transfer for the GE414 INS6 engine, intended for the Mk2 version of light combat aircraft. These talks are ongoing, with India seeking over 80% of the technology transfer, including coating techniques for the engine's hot end, as well as crystal blades and laser drilling technology.
