India And France To Build Indigenous Jet Engine For Next Gen Fighter Jets
India and France to co-develop powerful jet engine under full Indian IPR.
In a landmark move for India’s defense sector, the Indian government is poised to approve a joint project between French aerospace giant Safran S.A. and the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to develop India’s first indigenous high-thrust jet engine. This initiative, expected to receive final approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security soon, will produce a 120-kilonewton (kN) engine, scalable to 140 kN over a 12-year period, to power the twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for indigenous jet engine development during his Independence Day address and follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s emphasis on this critical technology.
The collaboration is unique, with Safran committing to transfer 100% of the technology, including advanced single-crystal blade technology, to DRDO under full Indian intellectual property rights (IPR). Single-crystal blades, made from super-alloys, enhance engine efficiency, durability, and resilience to extreme heat and stress.
While DRDO has developed this technology in laboratory settings, adapting it for high-performance fighter jet engines remains a significant challenge. The project, estimated at $7 billion, will see the development of nine prototypes over 12 years, involving Indian private sector giants like Tata, L&T, and Adani Defence.
This initiative marks a strategic leap for India, which has historically relied on foreign suppliers like the U.S. and Russia for aircraft engines. Unlike the U.S., which offers only 70% technology transfer for its GE-414 engines, France’s full technology transfer ensures India’s autonomy in engine development.
France has proven a reliable partner, continuing support during India’s 1998 nuclear tests when others imposed sanctions, and currently powers India’s Rafale jets with Safran’s 73 kN M-88 engines. The new 120-140 kN engine will not only drive the AMCA but also the Indian Navy’s planned twin-engine deck-based fighter, enhancing India’s airpower projection.
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The project addresses a critical gap in India’s defense capabilities, as only a few nations—U.S., Russia, UK, and France—possess the expertise to design and manufacture fighter jet engines. India’s earlier Kaveri engine project fell short, underscoring the significance of this collaboration. Beyond defense, the technology promises civilian applications, reinforcing India’s push for self-reliance in strategic sectors.
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