GTRE Near Finalizing Foreign Partner for AMCA 110kN Engine Co-Development
India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is moving closer to securing a crucial engine development partnership, a pivotal step in realizing the country's 5th-generation fighter jet ambitions.
Sources close to the program indicate that the DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is actively pursuing collaboration with a foreign engine manufacturer.
GTRE's goal is to finalize a partner by mid-2024, laying the groundwork for a contract to be signed later this year or early next. This partnership is essential for the development of a new 5th-generation engine capable of generating 110-130kN of thrust – a considerable power increase necessary for the AMCA MkII variant.
Industry leaders in engine manufacturing, including Rolls-Royce, Safran, and GE, are all potential contenders for this co-development project. The selected engine will power the AMCA MkII, which is slated for production after 2035.
To ensure timely progression in the initial stages of the AMCA program, the initial prototype and the first 40 AMCA MkI units will use the proven GE-F414 engine.
According to industry sources, the co-developed engine is expected to have a wide range of applications. Beyond the AMCA, it could potentially power the Indian Navy's TEDBF program (a carrier-based fighter jet) and even be incorporated into upgraded Tejas MkII jets during their Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) in the mid-2040s.
This development underscores India's determination to boost its indigenous defense capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
A successful engine partnership would mark a significant technological leap for the AMCA program and bolster India's position as a rising aerospace power.