India and France Set to Build Next-Gen Jet Engine in ₹61,000 Crore Defence Push

In a landmark move that signals India’s deepening push for self-reliance in defence technology, the country is set to join hands with France to co-develop a next-generation fighter jet engine. Valued at approximately ₹61,000 crore (USD 7.3 billion), the project is designed to power India’s futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter currently under development.

The goal is to strengthen the ‘Make in India’ initiative and reduce the country's long-standing dependence on foreign-made military technology. (PTI/File) | News18

A Strategic Partnership Forged in Technology

The decision to collaborate with France’s aerospace giant Safran marks a culmination of months of evaluation and inter-governmental discussions. According to multiple reports, Safran emerged as India’s preferred partner after offering complete technology transfer—something that competing offers from the UK’s Rolls-Royce or the U.S.’s GE had not matched in scope. This includes sharing sensitive and critical know-how such as single-crystal turbine blades, hot-section coatings, precision laser drilling, and full intellectual property rights.

The engine to be developed will be a 120kN-class high-thrust turbofan, specifically tailored for the twin-engine AMCA. This move ensures that India will not only co-design a cutting-edge propulsion system but will also manufacture and maintain it domestically—paving the way for a sustainable and self-sufficient aerospace ecosystem.

Strengthening the AMCA Program

India’s AMCA program is one of its most ambitious military aviation ventures to date. Envisioned as a stealth, fifth-generation aircraft with internal weapons bays, advanced avionics, and high maneuverability, the AMCA is designed to replace older aircraft in the Indian Air Force fleet by the mid-2030s. The timeline for the program is already in motion, with the first prototypes expected by 2026–27, flight testing to begin around 2028, and certification anticipated by 2032. Serial production is planned for 2035.

While initial AMCA prototypes will be powered by the U.S.-supplied GE-414 engines, India intends to switch to the indigenously co-developed French engine for production models. The long-term goal is to power over 250 fighter jets with this engine, cutting dependency on foreign supplies and reducing lifecycle maintenance costs significantly.

Lessons from the Past: Kaveri and Beyond

India’s determination to indigenize jet engine technology is rooted in lessons from the past. The country’s earlier effort to build the Kaveri engine in the 1990s ended in disappointment when the design failed to produce the required thrust. However, that experience served as a foundation, allowing Indian engineers to gain insight into jet propulsion design. Today, components of the Kaveri engine are being repurposed for India’s drone and UAV projects.

The new project with Safran is a chance to correct past mistakes and leapfrog into the elite club of nations capable of producing advanced fighter jet engines—currently dominated by the U.S., Russia, UK, and France.

A Deepening Defence Relationship with France

India’s defence ties with France have steadily grown over the past decade, from the Rafale fighter jet deal to space and nuclear cooperation. This latest partnership further cements France’s role as a strategic ally. Safran already works closely with Indian aerospace PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) on various civil and military projects, including production of LEAP and M88 engine components in Indian facilities located in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Goa.

The upcoming engine project will also be housed within this ecosystem, with plans for a dedicated maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility set to be operational by year-end. The industrial synergy between HAL and Safran is expected to boost local employment, accelerate R&D capabilities, and attract further global aerospace investment.

Complementing U.S. Collaboration

While India is locking in full engine development rights with France for the AMCA, it continues to maintain defence cooperation with the United States. In parallel, India is also negotiating a deal for the manufacturing of GE-414 INS6 engines to power the Tejas Mk2 fighter. The U.S. has agreed to a high level of technical cooperation, but not full technology transfer. This dual-track approach—working with both France and the U.S.—demonstrates India’s strategic autonomy and its desire to diversify critical defence partnerships.

A Step Toward Strategic Independence

This project is more than just a defence acquisition—it represents a fundamental shift in India’s defence posture. By investing in indigenous design and high-tech manufacturing, the country is reducing its dependency on traditional arms suppliers and laying the groundwork for future military innovation.

The Union Cabinet is expected to give its final approval soon. Once greenlit, this engine program will serve not only the AMCA but may eventually be adapted for India’s next generation of aircraft and drones, making it a cornerstone of India’s military-industrial future.

Conclusion: India’s Jet Engine Moment

With this Indo-French initiative, India stands at the threshold of a transformative chapter in its aerospace journey. The ₹61,000 crore investment is more than a financial commitment—it is a leap toward sovereign capability in one of the most complex and closely guarded areas of defence technology.

From learning lessons with the Kaveri to forging new pathways with France, India is building more than an engine—it is building legacy, self-reliance, and power projection for the decades to come.

(Sources: News18, Moneycontrol, Business Standard)