India and France are, reportedly, as per sources, outlining & working out the broad contours of their co-development agreement for a 120 kN thrust-class Engine which will be used on the AMCA Mk II and also the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF).
The $7 billion deal envisions the research, co-development, production & lifecycle support for around 400 engines with full IPR & technology transfer, including, engine modifications, creation of derivatives and also upgrades using next generation propulsion technologies, especially the adaptive cycle engine technology for 6th generation fighters. The 120 kN engine will power around 120 AMCA Mk II jets for the IAF and around 80 TEDBF jets for the Indian Navy.
Further, the development of an uprated, 140 kN class jet engine, using the same core, is also envisioned for a 6th generation platform going forward, as being already contemplated.
The deal, if executed as planned, would surely be a game changer for India and indeed give it a leg-up over its arch-rival, China, in terms of national security, and technological capabilities in jet engine production, which is extremely difficult and almost a decades-long process for a nation to master, which even China doesn't have till date...
