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The battle to co-develop a high-performance jet engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is intensifying.
he primary contenders, British aerospace giant Rolls-Royce and France's Safran, are aggressively vying for one of the most critical defence partnerships in India's history.
In the midst of this tight competition, Sashi Mukundan, Rolls-Royce India's Executive Vice President for Transformation, made a strategic remark designed to highlight his company's global technological edge over its French competitor.
Mukundan drew attention to the fact that French aerospace leader Dassault Aviation chose Rolls-Royce engines to power its newest ultra-long-range business jet, the Falcon 10X.
This observation carries significant weight within the industry because Dassault and Safran share deep roots in the French aerospace sector and have a long history of collaborating on major defence projects, most notably the Rafale fighter jet.
By securing the Dassault contract, Rolls-Royce is showcasing that even France's premier aircraft manufacturer looks beyond its domestic suppliers when it requires top-tier propulsion technology.
The Falcon 10X is equipped with twin Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X turbofans. Currently in advanced development, these engines are highly regarded for their outstanding fuel efficiency, low carbon emissions, and state-of-the-art digital monitoring capabilities.
Aviation experts consider Dassault's selection of the Pearl 10X as a powerful endorsement of Rolls-Royce's modern engine design and manufacturing prowess.
India's requirement for a new engine is a crucial step for its indigenous fighter program.
While the initial batch of the fifth-generation stealth fighters (AMCA Mk1) will be powered by American General Electric F414 engines, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) requires a significantly more powerful 110-120kN thrust class engine for the more advanced AMCA Mk2 variants.
To meet this demand, Rolls-Royce is pitching a comprehensive co-development model. The British firm is offering not just a working engine, but a full transfer of technology.
This proposal guarantees that India would own the intellectual property (IP) rights generated during the project, effectively establishing a complete domestic ecosystem capable of designing, certifying, and manufacturing future military and civil engines from the ground up.
However, Safran remains a formidable competitor with deep, pre-existing ties to New Delhi.
The French engine maker already has a massive footprint in the Indian defence sector, supplying the M88 engines that power the Indian Air Force's Rafale fleet.
Furthermore, Safran is actively working with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to co-develop engines for India's future multi-role helicopters, giving them a strong foothold in the local aerospace industry.
Defence analysts emphasize that the upcoming AMCA engine selection goes far beyond simply buying a powerplant off the shelf.
The chosen partner will be responsible for helping India build the foundational technology required for complete self-reliance in aero-engine manufacturing—a capability possessed by only a handful of nations globally.
By citing the Falcon 10X deal, Rolls-Royce is sending a clear and strategic message to decision-makers in New Delhi: if a leading European aircraft manufacturer is willing to trust Rolls-Royce over its own domestic options for its flagship project, India can confidently rely on British expertise to build its next-generation fighter engine.
