France Offers 100% ToT for AMCA 110kN Engine and Underwater Drones to India, Supports Nuclear Attack Subs Construction

In a move set to significantly boost India's defence capabilities, France has offered full transfer of technology (ToT) for 110 kilo-Newton thrust aircraft engines and underwater drones, and has expressed willingness to support India's construction of nuclear attack submarines.

These developments are expected to be major talking points during the upcoming India-France strategic dialogue between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and French President Emmanuel Macron's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne in Paris.

This strategic dialogue comes at a crucial time when India is actively seeking to enhance its naval prowess, with the Indian Navy reportedly approaching the government regarding the need for nuclear attack submarines.

France's offer to assist in this endeavor, along with its offer of full-spectrum autonomous systems for air, surface, and underwater domains, could substantially bolster India's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

Another significant aspect of the dialogue will be the potential collaboration on aircraft engines. Safran, a French company with a history of collaboration with India's space agency ISRO, has offered to jointly design, develop, certify, and produce 110 KN engines for India's future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project.

This offer includes 100% ToT, even for the critical hot engine sections, and promises Indian ownership of the jointly developed engine with the freedom to export it without restrictions.

The strengthening of the India-France strategic defence partnership is seen as pivotal for India's strategic autonomy. The two nations are already collaborating in various defence domains, including the potential acquisition of Rafale-Maritime fighters for India's aircraft carriers and the joint construction of Kalvari class diesel attack submarines.

Beyond defence, the dialogue is expected to cover a wide range of issues of mutual interest, including deepening cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in the Indian Ocean. The Middle East conflict, the targeting of commercial shipping by Houthis in the Red Sea, the situation in Bangladesh, and the elections in Sri Lanka are also likely to be discussed.

France's comprehensive support for India's defence aspirations, encompassing critical technologies and strategic cooperation, highlights the deepening trust and alignment between the two nations. It also underlines France's commitment to supporting India's rise as a major power in the Indo-Pacific region.

 

[subrat beura]

Go grab it India,bravo france

 

[Sudhakar KSV]

This offer by France to transfer technology in building aircraft engines should be grabbed by India in addition to developing kaveri engines. Tejas II A and Amca should be adapted such that they can be integrated with any type of engines. The above offer and indigenous engine should be speeded up such that we can produce atleast 2 squadrons in a year. This will also send warning bells to US as it seems they are putting spanners in supplying engines to HAL

 

[KVS]

These offers have been talked and talked by French for years that I wonder why they don't move beyond the offers on Media? Is there someone from our side/from somewhere else blocking them or have they been with unacceptable conditions and cost?😳

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great. Now GOI should hurry and sign the contract asap. Development cycle will take 10 years. TOT is very important as this 110KN engines will run till 2060s.

 

[sanket]

As i said earlier it will b European country but Not US , most likely US will Return empty hand whether it is Naval Fighter jet MRFA or Aero-Engine development or AMCA project consultant French have great chance From 26 Rafale M.MRFA to Aero-Engine development plus same Engine (110 kN )can b Integrated on Indian Rafale

 

[sanket]

Bharat should also keep talks with RR Just to Put pressure on Safran , second being already 80% so called ToT for GE-414 Engine , GE will miss the bus marginally by not transfering Rest 20% may b AKUS revenge from French

More pic may b clear by sept 30 , As NSA Ajit Doval Vist France

 

[desigandu]

Good, but Bharat must ensure contractually that safran delivers…Further safran or RR have never produced a fighter engine above 100kn, so we need to be mindful…

 

[Chinese eater]

India stood strong against USA CHINA PAKISTAN for 70 years only because of Russian arms and techs. India must never abandon Russia

 

[PARTHAJIT JANA]

Though safran is a trusted partner here because of heli engine, rocket engine collaboration history but safran itself doesnt have an 110 kn engine. Whereas rr and ge had made engines which had thrust more than 110 kn. But France is preparing for their 6th gen engine and we should collaborate with them for engines on 50-50 basis.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

India is in a knot whilst the French British engines do not exist at present and will take minimum 7 to 10 years to develop once contracts are signed and money put on the table , The American GEs or Pratt and Whitney both are ahead in the engine race with GE -414 EDE AND EPE and adaptive engines in Rxd which will take lesser time to produce.A tough decision as anti Indian lobby in state and American defense dept can play spoil sport .Liberal funding is the need of the hour for DRDO , GTRE to develop niche technologies and testing facilities including high altitude test facilities and airborne testing aircraft . Like the Russian Gromov aircraft system labs and flying facilities including design , production and test facilities including education scientific research labs all in one place or Anacom in Germany , DRDO , HAL , GTRE , IISC , IITS , BEL , Atomic energy , Isro , Mishra Dhatu NIGAM , IAF , public , private enterprises need to invest create a vast network of education , Rxd , design , production test and manufacturing facilities in one place to become a world leader in aero engine design manufacture , testing overhaul and RxD leveraging the huge no of commercial engines being purchased by Indian airline companies.The job has to be given to a team of professionals and not left to babus or netas.

 

[Instant Karma]

French don't have any engine anywhere even close what they are offering. Neither they have the technology. They want the Indian government to invest on the research and development of the engine. The engine will be ready in 2032 to 2036 timeline. Instead of the French offer, far better will be to invest on local companies and fund them to do the research and recruit some retired engineers from GE, RR, sukhoi, mig.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

GTRR+Saffran+ BHEL should jointly develop 90+ KN, 110 KN and 145+ KN engines for Tejas 1A, Tejas-AF-MK-II and AMCA fighters ADA+HAL should make engine bay that can accommodate both type of engine !

 

[AK S]

India stood strong against USA CHINA PAKISTAN for 70 years only because of Russian arms and techs. India must never abandon Russia

Current policy of multi-alignment help us grow and secure our borders. Abandoning Russia and joining US camp fully doesn’t further our interests. There is not much point in over-dependence on a global hegemon as we would end up fighting their never-ending wars.

 

[IN- Human]

Great. Now GOI should hurry and sign the contract asap. Development cycle will take 10 years. TOT is very important as this 110KN engines will run till 2060s.

I think prototype development won't take more than 3-4 years.

 

[Dr. Venkateswara Rao. Korasiga]

Great step forward which relieves lot of problems for Indian aviation Industry. French people always helped us in overcoming lot of problems related to nuclear energy, submarines etc.

 

[Tim Mugaseth]

But india will sleep on it till the french will get fed up and that will be it. We can never ever trust the US as their sentiments have never been for india because of our friendship with Russia. They will do their best to stall the Tejas . Already they have started their dirty tricks with the khalistanis by calling them for a meeting in the white house itself , so here we go.

 

[IN- Human]

We already have SC blades capable of 2000°c which more than Saturn Al 41F ,
Which has turbine inlet temperature of 1662°c.
Note - This is without TBC.

DRDO is working on Sic/Sic CMC ,
has already patented 1st gen Sillion Carbide fibers and is working on 3rd gen Ultra High Temperature Sillicon Carbide fibers.
only problem is designing an engine with dry thrust of 75 KN and afterburner thrust of 120KN.
I think India should invest $2 billion for Indigenous design with public and private partnership with Indian companies.

 

[Sridhar]

India stood strong against USA CHINA PAKISTAN for 70 years only because of Russian arms and techs. India must never abandon Russia

In Politics there is never a permanent friend or an enemy.

 

[Akshat]

India is in a knot whilst the French British engines do not exist at present and will take minimum 7 to 10 years to develop once contracts are signed and money put on the table , The American GEs or Pratt and Whitney both are ahead in the engine race with GE -414 EDE AND EPE and adaptive engines in Rxd which will take lesser time to produce.A tough decision as anti Indian lobby in state and American defense dept can play spoil sport .Liberal funding is the need of the hour for DRDO , GTRE to develop niche technologies and testing facilities including high altitude test facilities and airborne testing aircraft . Like the Russian Gromov aircraft system labs and flying facilities including design , production and test facilities including education scientific research labs all in one place or Anacom in Germany , DRDO , HAL , GTRE , IISC , IITS , BEL , Atomic energy , Isro , Mishra Dhatu NIGAM , IAF , public , private enterprises need to invest create a vast network of education , Rxd , design , production test and manufacturing facilities in one place to become a world leader in aero engine design manufacture , testing overhaul and RxD leveraging the huge no of commercial engines being purchased by Indian airline companies.The job has to be given to a team of professionals and not left to babus or netas.

A few points.

1. India wants to codevelop the engine. So isn’t a prerequisite that the engine doesn’t exist and has to be developed?

2. P&W hasn’t even joined the talks for codevelopment. Or for ToT for engines of Mk2. Even GE has made no such offer at least publicly.

3. GTRE already got blank check funding for Kaveri. We surely have to invest in the fine tech, but history has shown us that GTRE can’t get it done under any circumstances. So now a new alternative has to be found. Till then anything spent on it is nothing but wastage of funds.