Calls Grow to Place AMCA 6th-Gen Engine Program under Direct PMO Oversight to Accelerate Development Timelines

To fast-track the development of a critical component for India's next-generation fighter jet, top-level discussions are underway to place the indigenous engine program for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

According to sources, the government is considering elevating the engine project to the status of a "National Mission," signalling its immense strategic importance for the nation's long-term defence preparedness and technological self-reliance.

The AMCA is an ambitious Indian program to design and build a fifth-generation stealth aircraft, placing India in a select group of nations with such capabilities.

The aircraft's development, managed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is proceeding in two stages.

The initial version, or AMCA Mk1, recently received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) to build five prototypes, which will be powered by the American GE F414 engine, a proven 98 kilonewton (kN) class engine.

However, the advanced AMCA Mk2 variant, envisioned as a true 5.5-generation fighter, is dependent on the successful creation of a more powerful, domestically produced engine.

Developing a state-of-the-art fighter engine is a highly complex and time-consuming endeavour. To prevent potential delays and navigate the technological challenges, placing the project under PMO oversight is being strongly considered.

This model has been successfully used in the past to accelerate other high-priority strategic programs, including the development of the 'K' family of submarine-launched ballistic missiles and India's nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) fleet. Such a structure is known to ensure dedicated funding, streamlined inter-agency coordination, and rapid decision-making.

A primary goal of this high-level oversight would be to bypass bureaucratic hurdles and ensure that the chosen international partner fully commits to India's objectives.

Negotiations are in advanced stages with global aerospace leaders like Safran of France, Rolls-Royce of the UK, and GE Aerospace of the United States to co-develop the engine.

Direct PMO involvement would provide the necessary leverage to guarantee a complete transfer of technology (ToT) and establish a robust local manufacturing ecosystem, a key aim of India's 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector.

The proposed indigenous engine is expected to be in the 110-120 kN thrust class and will incorporate cutting-edge technologies.

These features include supercruise capability, allowing for sustained supersonic flight without the use of fuel-guzzling afterburners, and stealth-compatible serrated nozzles to reduce the aircraft's heat signature.

It will also feature a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system for optimal performance.

The successful development of this engine will not only equip future AMCA fighters but could also be adapted to upgrade other aircraft in the Indian Air Force's inventory, securing India's air superiority for decades to come.

 

[Mc Addy]

Buy the engine manufacturing plant is USA, these are all failed plants and get to work . USA is all about business deals , so do a deal.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

We can have lots of dreams of having multiple fighter platforms which are home grown but everything stands futile unless we have our own jet engine. We will struggle endlessly for having our own platform for the lack of jet engine to fly those. Just had read about the news that some of our scientists and engineers who are serving for GE aerospace, Pratt & Whitnry, RR are willing to come back home and engage in developing indegenous jet engine. They are top ranked professionals who hold patents in this field. If the news is true which might be as the article was published in idrw site, GOI should not waste time to bring them back. All the burecratic hurdles should be absolutely killed in this respect and as we talk about GToG deal for fighter platforms. This should be done as PMO to personnels level exchange. PMO should appoint them and ask them to directly report to the PMO office. If this news is true and if PMO involves personally then the dream of indegenous jet engine will come true in a span of 2-3 years. More than different fighter jet platforms, the need of the hour is a robust and high kiloNewton engine somewhere in the range of 90 to 130kN which will help to achieve our dream more quickly and effeciently.​

 

[Maverick23]

Right way to go for the long term...

 

[nuke engineer]

We can have lots of dreams of having multiple fighter platforms which are home grown but everything stands futile unless we have our own jet engine. We will struggle endlessly for having our own platform for the lack of jet engine to fly those. Just had read about the news that some of our scientists and engineers who are serving for GE aerospace, Pratt & Whitnry, RR are willing to come back home and engage in developing indegenous jet engine. They are top ranked professionals who hold patents in this field. If the news is true which might be as the article was published in idrw site, GOI should not waste time to bring them back. All the burecratic hurdles should be absolutely killed in this respect and as we talk about GToG deal for fighter platforms. This should be done as PMO to personnels level exchange. PMO should appoint them and ask them to directly report to the PMO office. If this news is true and if PMO involves personally then the dream of indegenous jet engine will come true in a span of 2-3 years. More than different fighter jet platforms, the need of the hour is a robust and high kiloNewton engine somewhere in the range of 90 to 130kN which will help to achieve our dream more quickly and effeciently.​

If you want them to come back, have them work for private companies and pay the better than USA wages. They are not going to work for Govt salaries. Also, if they are working on top secret military projects, they have signed no disclosure agreements. There are legal issues. Many have roots in the USA, kids etc. So they cannot just come back and settle down here.

 

[Senapati]

Both AMCA aircraft project and 120kN 6th generation engine development should be under teview of PMO.
In involves crores of rupees public money and countries defence i terest.

 

[NAG]

With US and EU going rogue and getting very angry on India's rise, India has to change its strategy to act on stealth mode. Too much of propoganda is also costing India very heavily. India has always been a favourite playground for Western nations to supress and dance to its tunes.
India has to come out of its dependency on energy sector. It's one of the big grey area, we are taken for a ride.
We can innovate technologies with sustained efforts, clear focus and allocate sufficient funds. Russia, France, Canada etc with lower GDP are doing excellent work on innovations. Why not us?

 

[Sun Beam]

Buy the engine manufacturing plant is USA, these are all failed plants and get to work . USA is all about business deals , so do a deal.

As to the available informations, it might not be simply buying the engines...... We are not familiar with the manufacturing procedure's in the industrial production facility..... US has a very long experience & expertise in all production areas..... Their industries are of very advanced technologies with almost full automation..... Including latest AI technological utilisation to some extent which can simplify the production procedures including efficient products which can be produced to the desired level of accuracy......

Meanwhile our innovations in the development of Kaveri engine might also be used in the engine's produced here...

It seems Brahmos Aerospace is able to provide excellent afterburner section which can also be utilised all varient of the difficult power houses as to our requirements from 80 to 130Kn......

Why so much of time to take decisions after a very long time? The manufacturing of aero engines were not seriously looked into earlier...... GTRE had no required facilities for their R&D earlier..... No magics can happen without the required facilities like FTB, HATF & wind tunnels....

God sake let everything get fast tracked whether PMO supervise it or our honorable President has the management over it.....

 

[Mc Addy]

As to the available informations, it might not be simply buying the engines...... We are not familiar with the manufacturing procedure's in the industrial production facility..... US has a very long experience & expertise in all production areas..... Their industries are of very advanced technologies with almost full automation..... Including latest AI technological utilisation to some extent which can simplify the production procedures including efficient products which can be produced to the desired level of accuracy......

Meanwhile our innovations in the development of Kaveri engine might also be used in the engine's produced here...

It seems Brahmos Aerospace is able to provide excellent afterburner section which can also be utilised all varient of the difficult power houses as to our requirements from 80 to 130Kn......

Why so much of time to take decisions after a very long time? The manufacturing of aero engines were not seriously looked into earlier...... GTRE had no required facilities for their R&D earlier..... No magics can happen without the required facilities like FTB, HATF & wind tunnels....

God sake let everything get fast tracked whether PMO supervise it or our honorable President has the management over it.....

I meant was , buy the production line, keep itvthere in USA if need be , send our people, use their people and finish the task

 

[Sun Beam]

With US and EU going rogue and getting very angry on India's rise, India has to change its strategy to act on stealth mode. Too much of propoganda is also costing India very heavily. India has always been a favourite playground for Western nations to supress and dance to its tunes.
India has to come out of its dependency on energy sector. It's one of the big grey area, we are taken for a ride.
We can innovate technologies with sustained efforts, clear focus and allocate sufficient funds. Russia, France, Canada etc with lower GDP are doing excellent work on innovations. Why not us?

Why are bending to them? Have you gone through International media & the articles published globally?

You have to get what you want for the nation..... Personal interests spoils the future of Indian economy.....

Intellectuals(IITian) like former DM, Manohar Parikar was not at all taken to France while the negotiations of the Rafael deal.... Now no source availablity for us... We have to demand what IAF & the country needs for the future prosperity & technological development of the nation..... Rafael deal is not simply a business deal in billion dollars..... Now everyone is suffering because of wrong decision makings.....

We have to decently deal with our foreign partners else they will sit on our head, it's quiet natural...

I know very well HAL was making a very tough demand from Dassault aviation while licence producing the Rafael here......

Atlast wr are at the corner of the road

 

[Sun Beam]

We never tried to have secured technological tranfer, innovations & advancements from our foreign partners & hence having so troubles & facing so many hurdles in our advancements in the industry.....

No use in blaming our foreign partners.....

 

[dunla52]

Buy the engine manufacturing plant is USA, these are all failed plants and get to work . USA is all about business deals , so do a deal.

Never do that America plays games will combat that build our own domestically

 

[lee]

If each & every issue has to be under the direct attention of The PM, we are only eroding the value of every other Minister & HODs etc.
It is ridiculous to expect that things will progress in the Positive direction at the relevant pace, only under the direct foresight of The PM. In a way, we are not setting up a proper system where in things will move smoothly from one level to the next like w well oiled machine.
To be A successful Nation with successful set ups, we need A cohesive system which must operate irrespective of who is leading the project. THE SYSTEM MUST BE A WELL OILED MACHINE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

 

[Doorie]

AMCA in its current form would be a conventional fighter jet with advanced avionics, engines, fly by wire, AI based situational awareness, advance weapon management system etc..
By the time the jet gets ready for induction the world will be having technology that would make such fighter jets technologically irrelevant and out of place.
Defence need to come up with something unthinkable and disruptive warfare concepts like star wars, satellites firing devastating laser beams with pin point accuracy and which can cause mass destruction.
Robots replacing human militaries in air, water and land.
Robot Army which crosses oceans while remaining undetected in the ocean bed.