Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Signals Partnership with French Safran for AMCA Engine Co-Development

In a major development for India's military aviation programme, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has confirmed an upcoming collaboration with the French engine manufacturer Safran to jointly develop and produce a new jet engine.

This engine is slated to power India's futuristic fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The revelation, made at the ET World Leaders Forum, marks a critical step forward in India’s long-standing goal of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technology.

Speaking on the government's strategic vision, Mr. Singh emphasised the shift towards domestic manufacturing for crucial military hardware.

"We have also moved towards manufacturing the aircraft’s engine in India itself. We are about to start engine manufacturing work in India with the French company Safran," he stated.

This partnership is designed to reduce India's long-term dependence on foreign nations for advanced military aero-engines, a technology that only a few countries have mastered.

Safran is a globally recognised leader in aerospace propulsion and is the manufacturer of the M88 engine used in the Rafale fighter jets, which are already in service with the Indian Air Force.

The new agreement is expected to be a comprehensive partnership involving a 100% transfer of technology for the design, development, and manufacturing of the engine within India.

This collaboration builds upon the strong existing strategic ties between India and France and will likely be led by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The proposed engine is being developed to meet the demanding performance requirements of the AMCA, a stealth aircraft designed for air superiority and strike missions.

It is projected to be a 110-kilonewton (kN) thrust class engine, enabling features such as supercruise (supersonic flight without afterburners), advanced stealth capabilities, and high agility.

While the initial prototypes of the AMCA may be powered by an existing foreign engine, this joint venture with Safran is crucial for producing the more advanced Mk2 version of the aircraft, ensuring its future capabilities are supported by domestically produced technology.

 

JSW Sarbloh Motors has formed a JV with Arizona-based Tomcar for the local production of the TX range of ATVs in India

Russia Pitches AL-41 Engine with Local Production for India's Su-30MKI Fleet, Replacing AL-31 for Su-57-Like Stealth

[Doc]

This is the best bit of 'good news' after what we've seen happening with GE's handling of the 404 engine supplies.
It also means that they had better stick to timelines where the 414 engine is concerned.

Competition is always good : keeps suppliers on their toes and furthers innovation and new versions.

Hopefully the 100% ToT for all phases of the engine's production will come about and it will be more powerful (at 110 kN +) which will give it an edge over the 414 engine. and permit incorporation in the later Mk2 version of the AMCA.
We also hope to see some stealth issues addressed during its manufacture.

 

[Maverick23]

Better late than suffer later...India had to factor in and develop an effective mechanism to offset delays in engine deliveries by GE...

 

[Doc]

Better late than suffer later...India had to factor in and develop an effective mechanism to offset delays in engine deliveries by GE...

Actually, there is very little that can be done for suppliers located abroad.
We can only twist their tails if they are on Indian soil.
We all know that the don is running amok and is doing his best to spite India, mollycoddling the Pakis in the process.

Besides, jet-engines are a 'preserve' of only a few nations - some of them don't want to see us join this 'elite' club and go on to produce world-beating products.

In this regard, the Russian offer (with full Tot) of local production of the AL-41 jet-engine shouldn't be permitted to slip through our fingers.

If our plate is already piled high with what SAFRAN has served, then we should hive off the AL-41 offer to TATAs or some pvt industry co, if the Russky's are amenable to this.
Difficult, but, doable.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Safran can develop an engine much more powerful than the M88. Critics of this engine forget how compact it is and what aircraft it was originally intended for (and this aircraft was supposed to be based on aircraft carriers). AMCA does not require such strict size restrictions, therefore the new engine can be made larger and more powerful. Even if you look at the past, Snecma (Safran) already made a more powerful engine called the M53, it is just much larger than the M88.

If the AMCA engines are allowed to have dimensions of F100/110, then the IHI XF9 fits into these conditions.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Actually, there is very little that can be done for suppliers located abroad.
We can only twist their tails if they are on Indian soil.
We all know that the don is running amok and is doing his best to spite India, mollycoddling the Pakis in the process.

Besides, jet-engines are a 'preserve' of only a few nations - some of them don't want to see us join this 'elite' club and go on to produce world-beating products.

In this regard, the Russian offer (with full Tot) of local production of the AL-41 jet-engine shouldn't be permitted to slip through our fingers.

If our plate is already piled high with what SAFRAN has served, then we should hive off the AL-41 offer to TATAs or some pvt industry co, if the Russky's are amenable to this.
Difficult, but, doable.

Egypt was willing to cooperate with India on the E300 engine in the 1960s, which was intended for the Marut fighter, Ukraine offered to develop a 95 kN thrust engine for the Tejas in the 2000s, but India often missed such opportunities for cooperation.

 

[Doc]

Safran can develop an engine much more powerful than the M88. Critics of this engine forget how compact it is and what aircraft it was originally intended for (and this aircraft was supposed to be based on aircraft carriers). AMCA does not require such strict size restrictions, therefore the new engine can be made larger and more powerful. Even if you look at the past, Snecma (Safran) already made a more powerful engine called the M53, it is just much larger than the M88.

If the AMCA engines are allowed to have dimensions of F100/110, then the IHI XF9 fits into these conditions.

The media has not been 'wised up' to details of the engine that is going to be co-produced.
Whether it is one of their existing products, suitably modified/tailored to AMCA requirements, only time will tell.
Till then, we wait with bated breath!

 

[Doc]

Egypt was willing to cooperate with India on the E300 engine in the 1960s, which was intended for the Marut fighter, Ukraine offered to develop a 95 kN thrust engine for the Tejas in the 2000s, but India often missed such opportunities for cooperation.

Egypt ! That's news to me; was possibly not into 'matters flying' then.
But, I'd say, it'd be a case of the blind leading the blind as both nations were not producers of jet-engines!
No offence intended.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Egypt ! That's news to me; was possibly not into 'matters flying' then.
But, I'd say, it'd be a case of the blind leading the blind as both nations were not producers of jet-engines!
No offence intended.

The Egyptian program was supervised by Ferdinand Brandner, a renowned German engine designer.

The media has not been 'wised up' to details of the engine that is going to be co-produced.
Whether it is one of their existing products, suitably modified/tailored to AMCA requirements, only time will tell.
Till then, we wait with bated breath!

AMCA should definitely design larger engines than the F414. I don't see any reason to reduce the engine size, this is not a compact Rafale and not a naval aircraft. In the F110 dimensions, you can easily install a derivative of the XF9 engine, which will reach the F119 specifications.

 

[Doc]

The Egyptian program was supervised by Ferdinand Brandner, a renowned German engine designer.

AMCA should definitely design larger engines than the F414. I don't see any reason to reduce the engine size, this is not a compact Rafale and not a naval aircraft. In the F110 dimensions, you can easily install a derivative of the XF9 engine, which will reach the F119 specifications.

I've said this before and am saying it again.

We MUST NOT let ANY offer of co-production/co-development of of a jet-engine slip through our fingers, because that's how we learn and master the technology. Such offers might be 'here today, gone tomorrow' - no point repenting then.

If ALL government agencies already have their plates full, producing some other engine, then, surely, the task can be taken up by a 'trusted' private enterprise (maybe with Govt share in the project).

Specifically, I'm talking of the Russian AL-51 engine and the Japanese XF9 engines. Technology gained by a 'known' private enterprise is expertise acquired by the nation.

Think about it.

 

[Doc]

Here is the FULL story on the Japanese jet-engine offer.

Might be a bit long, but worth a read.

Japan has offered its advanced IHI XF9-1 engine to India for co-development and potential local production as part of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This offer includes a technical review of the engine by India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). The XF9-1 is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan engine originally developed for Japan's own FX/F3 fighter jet program.

This video discusses Japan's offer of the XF9-1 engine and its potential for co-development and local manufacturing in India:

Jetline Marvel
YouTube · 4 Jun 2025

Details of the Offer:

• Co-development and local production:
  Japan is proposing to collaborate with India on the development and production of the XF9-1 engine within India.
• Technical Review:
  India's GTRE has been invited to review the XF9-1 engine and provide a technical report.
• Competition:
  Japan's offer is part of a larger competition to provide the engine for India's AMCA, with other contenders including the US, UK, and France, according to The Eurasian Times and Indian Defence Research Wing.
• Alignment with 'Make in India':
  The proposed collaboration aligns with India's 'Make in India' and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities.

This video explains that Japan is offering the XF9-1 engine, which was originally developed for Japan's FX/F3 fighter jet program, to India for its AMCA program:

Inconnect News
YouTube · 11 Aug 2025

Background:

• AMCA Program:
  The AMCA is India's ambitious program to develop a 5.5-generation stealth fighter jet.
• Engine Selection:
  India is aiming to finalize an engine deal for the AMCA by the end of 2025.
• Strategic Importance:
  The engine selection is a crucial step for India's defense self-reliance and its ability to produce advanced fighter jets domestically.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

I've said this before and am saying it again.

We MUST NOT let ANY offer of co-production/co-development of of a jet-engine slip through our fingers, because that's how we learn and master the technology. Such offers might be 'here today, gone tomorrow' - no point repenting then.

If ALL government agencies already have their plates full, producing some other engine, then, surely, the task can be taken up by a 'trusted' private enterprise (maybe with Govt share in the project).

Specifically, I'm talking of the Russian AL-51 engine and the Japanese XF9 engines. Technology gained by a 'known' private enterprise is expertise acquired by the nation.

Think about it.

The AL-51 is not yet in use in Russia itself and is unlikely to be available for the next 5 years, as Russia must fulfill orders for its own Air Force and the Algerian Air Force.

 

[Doc]

The AL-51 is not yet in use in Russia itself and is unlikely to be available for the next 5 years, as Russia must fulfill orders for its own Air Force and the Algerian Air Force.

We are talking here of co-production !

 

[智子 伊瀬]

We are talking here of co-production !

It is unlikely that Russia will transfer 100% of the technology for the newest AL-51. However, this engine is similar to the F119 in dry/wet thrust. Japan can share technologies, since the XF9 was developed for the F-3 even before the program was merged with the British Tempest, the Japanese version of the GCAP will have an even more powerful engine. Japan doesn't have a portfolio of orders for aircraft and engines, so the terms of organizing production and supplying components will be faster.

 

[Snowstrike]

Oh no... well this aint good news. I really hope the MoD understands what they are doing. Heres a quick breakdown of the two leading offers: 1) Safran: Safran is offering a 4th gen core (M88) scaled up, without any VCE capabilities. Safran is offering a development timeline of ~10 years, on par with the AMCA mk2 induction. 2) Rolls-Royce (RR): RR is offering a clean-sheet 6th-gen design, crucially, WITH VCE. However, their development timeline is a little longer at ~13 years. The question is: does india pass up on decades of revelance for a 3 year faster deal? In aerospace terms, 3 years is not much by any means. 3 decades is. I just hope the MoD quits its short termism, and begins long-term strategic planning. Oh, and if I didnt mention it before: RR's offer is scalable, upto 130-140kn. Safran's m88 core is fundamentally constrained because of its 1990s architecture.

 

[Snowstrike]

The Egyptian program was supervised by Ferdinand Brandner, a renowned German engine designer.

AMCA should definitely design larger engines than the F414. I don't see any reason to reduce the engine size, this is not a compact Rafale and not a naval aircraft. In the F110 dimensions, you can easily install a derivative of the XF9 engine, which will reach the F119 specifications.

Respected enthusiast, I appreciate your passion about india having the best quality engines on its planes. However, I have to inform you: the AMCA mk2 is a medium-weight fighter, with an MTOW of 25-27 tonnes. The f22 Raptor, with the F119 engine, has an MTOW of 38-40 tonnes. Theres a fundamental difference in size: the AMCA's physical dimensions do NOT allow for larger engines. Hence, the F414 dimensions.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

Respected enthusiast, I appreciate your passion about india having the best quality engines on its planes. However, I have to inform you: the AMCA mk2 is a medium-weight fighter, with an MTOW of 25-27 tonnes. The f22 Raptor, with the F119 engine, has an MTOW of 38-40 tonnes. Theres a fundamental difference in size: the AMCA's physical dimensions do NOT allow for larger engines. Hence, the F414 dimensions.

The F119 is just an example, the engine isn't new and isn't the pinnacle of American technology. The XF9 produces similar thrust, being the size of the F110, which seems like a much better option. Again, the AMCA block 2 has no strict restrictions on the weight of the airframe and its size, since it should not be based on aircraft carriers, therefore the F414 is only needed to lift the block 1 into the air, this is a temporary solution.

 

[Snowstrike]

The F119 is just an example, the engine isn't new and isn't the pinnacle of American technology. The XF9 produces similar thrust, being the size of the F110, which seems like a much better option. Again, the AMCA block 2 has no strict restrictions on the weight of the airframe and its size, since it should not be based on aircraft carriers, therefore the F414 is only needed to lift the block 1 into the air, this is a temporary solution.

It's impossible to fit the f110 on the AMCA mk2 too, without major redesign. These are their dimensions:
Feature F414 XF9
Diameter 0.83m 1m
Weight 1,100kg 1,740kg (Not released, but similar to F110)

The AMCA mk2 is smaller than most other 5th gen fighters. And by the way, it HAS restrictions on weight and size. Its only going to have incremental differences with the mk1. A plane the size of the AMCA (25 tonnes MTOW) cannot have a dual engine setup with engines bigger than this: and the entire project is being developed around the f414 dimensions-like plan. mk2 included. The F110 powers the F-15EX, which has an MTOW of 36 tonnes, compared to the AMCA mk2's 25 tonnes. I hope this was informative and was of assistance.

 

[智子 伊瀬]

It's impossible to fit the f110 on the AMCA mk2 too, without major redesign. These are their dimensions:
Feature F414 XF9
Diameter 0.83m 1m
Weight 1,100kg 1,740kg (Not released, but similar to F110)

The AMCA mk2 is smaller than most other 5th gen fighters. And by the way, it HAS restrictions on weight and size. Its only going to have incremental differences with the mk1. A plane the size of the AMCA (25 tonnes MTOW) cannot have a dual engine setup with engines bigger than this: and the entire project is being developed around the f414 dimensions-like plan. mk2 included. The F110 powers the F-15EX, which has an MTOW of 36 tonnes, compared to the AMCA mk2's 25 tonnes. I hope this was informative and was of assistance.

In this case, it will be a weak 5th generation aircraft, with a reduced flight range or payload compared to its analogues, that is, the project had shortcomings from the beginning.

 

[Snowstrike]

In this case, it will be a weak 5th generation aircraft, with a reduced flight range or payload compared to its analogues, that is, the project had shortcomings from the beginning.

Ah, not exactly. Here's why: with an MTOW of only 25 tonnes, the AMCA mk1/2 does not require a large amount of thrust to be an effective plane. It features the ability to Supercruise at Mach 1.3, with a twin-engine setup where each has 75kn of dry thrust. That 75kn is the theoretical limit for thrust for an engine of that size. Its envisioned as a medium-weight fighter- contrasting the F-22 and Su-57, which are both heavy-weight fighters, hence requiring larger thrust. Its payload is quite decent too. Here's a chart:

Aircraft	Internal Payload	External Payload	MTOW
AMCA Mk2	1.5 tonnes	5.5 tonnes	27.5 t
F-22 Raptor	2.0 tonnes	6.8 tonnes	38.0 t
F-35 Lightning II	2.3 tonnes	8.2 tonnes	31.8 t
J-20	2.0 tonnes	6.0 tonnes	36.0 t
Su-57	2.0 tonnes	7.0 tonnes	35.0 t

Here's the combat radius of the planes:

Aircraft	Combat Radius (km)	Combat Radius (miles)
AMCA Mk2	~1,200	~745
F-22 Raptor	~1,839	~1,142
F-35 Lightning II	~1,093	~679
J-20	~2,000	~1,243
Su-57	~1,600	~994