GTRE Confirms Core Upgradability in 110kN AMCA Engine, Enabling Future Evolution to 125-145 kN Thrust for 6th-Gen Fighter

India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has announced significant plans for the jet engine intended for the nation's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The establishment confirmed that the 110kN (kilonewton) thrust engine will feature a core design allowing for future enhancements.

This design approach means the engine can be developed into more powerful versions, potentially reaching thrust levels between 125kN and 145kN. Officials suggest these upgraded engines could power a future heavy fighter aircraft, possibly a sixth-generation platform. Such an aircraft is anticipated to eventually replace the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets, likely starting around 2045 to 2050.

The 110kN engine, which is currently being planned, is specifically designed for the demanding needs of the AMCA. These requirements include the ability to fly faster than sound for sustained periods without using afterburners (supercruise) and performance characteristics compatible with stealth technology.

The AMCA is India's first domestically developed fifth-generation stealth fighter, a joint effort by DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). While initial prototypes of the AMCA will use the American General Electric F414 engine (producing 98kN thrust), the shift to the indigenous 110kN engine is a vital step for the programme. GTRE aims to have this engine ready for use by the early 2030s.

A key aspect of the new engine is its modular construction, which permits these core upgrades. A GTRE official confirmed this, stating, "The 110kN power plant will have core upgradeability so that engines in the range of 120kN to 145kN thrust can be developed."

This built-in scalability aims to ensure the engine technology remains relevant for many years, serving not only the AMCA but also potentially powering a more advanced, heavier class of fighter jet in the future.

The IAF currently operates a large fleet of over 260 Su-30MKI aircraft, which are central to its air combat strength. However, these aircraft are projected to retire between 2045 and 2050. An ongoing upgrade programme, known as "Super Sukhoi," which includes improvements like the advanced Virupaksha AESA radar and the Astra MkIII missile, will keep the jets effective into the 2030s.

Nevertheless, a replacement will be necessary in the long term. GTRE's strategy involves using the core technology from the AMCA's engine to create the more powerful 120kN-145kN thrust engines needed for a potential sixth-generation fighter.

 

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[Pankajrai]

Only words.......
Still struggling in developing a 49 KN engine and talking about 110 KN, 125 KN and 145 KN . These officials know well that by the time we will retire and the new joinee will find an excuse for themselves as this is the pattern in last 4 decades. GTRE has failed to provide the nation a successful jet engine in last 4 decades. Where is their work ethics lies ?
We all know the Jet engine is one of the toughest technology in world but 4 decades are enough to reach even on moon and mars . The accountability and answerability must be given to everyone .

 

[bhatkalhr]

It is easy to point out fingure. There are various serious constraints like bureaucracy, fund availability and most important political intent.
We have to remember even with these limitations our scientist have developed a better core which is just matching foreign engines.
These are our scientists who are behind ISRO success, our indigenous aircraft carrier, our indigenous nuclear submarine fleet to name a few.
We should also understand for centuries we were under colonial rule who had drained our resources

So my small request if we don't feel like appreciating atleast avoid demoralising coments

I a common Indian citizen who loves the country it's people and it's diversities. Jai Hind🇮🇳

 

[Senapati]

AMCA prototypes will fly with GE414 engine that has 98kN thrust.The production will have to follow with 110kN engine jointly developed with GE Safran or RR.
With experience gained Indian companies can join together for a higher version 120 or 140kN engine.
GTRE should complete flight test of 50kN dry version of Kaveri and 80to 90kN afterburner version at the earliest to go to next project.

 

[vvgnag6933]

Is the writer of this article fully aware of the situations or simply he is day dreaming or only just speculating. No one, even the defence brass or the government authorities have no clue about the real thing going on at GTRE. It's high time to put accountability and also involve private sector for this core activity.

 

[Jaguar]

Government must initiate 2 engine program one for PSU and one for private players, every thing R & D , Prototype, Manufacturing should be Indigenous

 

[Bks kumar]

ToT offers by foreign nations are absolutely fake. India should never rely on it and a waste of time. India should focus on indigenous tech either developed on its own or reverse engineering or borrowed from black market. Only way!

 

[Pankaj]

First develop a basic jet engine (75-85 KN), then go for 100, 125, and 150 KN and so on.......

Now enough of these words, the people of India want a reliable fighter jet engine that could fly a basic jet or even a trainer aircraft. Still struggling to operationalise Kaveri engine derivatives (48 KN dry thrust) and talking about the world's most powerful engine!

Why 145 KN, work on 175 KN?

Who stops you in making gigantic statements?

 

[sishir]

The government institution writes stories to ensure they get funding. Why government cannot fund 50 percent to a private entities to develop these engines?
Also if developed a long time contract with the deduction of the funding in a time bond manner.

 

[Sandeep]

This is the same plan that the military will pursue as they want an engine which can enhance its thrust level buy increasing the core temperature.

It’s very important that we now decide on the OEM that we will partner with as it will take at least 8-10 years to design, develop and manufacture it. We will receive 100% of the technology and get to manufacture it all indigenously from Indian raw materials. The most important part is that we will be taught about the advanced knowledge, skills, education, science, engineering, manufacturing capabilities that’s involved in developing a brand new 5th generation stealth engine. We can also use this engine on the Tejas MK1A, MK2, TEDBF jets if needed. We can look at installing it on our Sukhoi and Mig jets but they would need to be heavily modified and upgraded.

 

[Sandeep]

First develop a basic jet engine (75-85 KN), then go for 100, 125, and 150 KN and so on.......

Now enough of these words, the people of India want a reliable fighter jet engine that could fly a basic jet or even a trainer aircraft. Still struggling to operationalise Kaveri engine derivatives (48 KN dry thrust) and talking about the world's most powerful engine!

Why 145 KN, work on 175 KN?

Who stops you in making gigantic statements?

The engine will be developed with Safran or Rolls Royce. We will get 100% of the technology and make it entirely in India. So the engine is guaranteed once they sign a deal.

 

[Sandeep]

ToT offers by foreign nations are absolutely fake. India should never rely on it and a waste of time. India should focus on indigenous tech either developed on its own or reverse engineering or borrowed from black market. Only way!

Safran and Rolls Royce have clearly said that India will receive 100% of the technology and manufacture it entirely within India.

 

[Pankaj]

The engine will be developed with Safran or Rolls Royce. We will get 100% of the technology and make it entirely in India. So the engine is guaranteed once they sign a deal.

Neither Safran nor Rolls-Royce has yet developed any fighter jet engine above 110 KN. How come they developed a 145 KN engine for India with an Indian partner?

Nothing is guaranteed here.

GTRE is still working on the Kaveri engine for the last three to four decades, and the result is well known to us.

 

[kkkoul]

Unless and untill there is no accountability in GTRE, they will not produce any engine. The authorities have to be tough with them. The GTRE has taken four decades to produce nothing.

 

[Sandeep]

Neither Safran nor Rolls-Royce has yet developed any fighter jet engine above 110 KN. How come they developed a 145 KN engine for India with an Indian partner?

Nothing is guaranteed here.

GTRE is still working on the Kaveri engine for the last three to four decades, and the result is well known to us.

Rolls Royce have with their euro engine on their typhoon jets. Also just because Safran hasn’t developed the exact type of thrust engine we want it doesn’t mean that they can’t develop it. Those companies have the knowledge and technology on how to develop and manufacture a modern stealth engine.

As for the Kaveri engine they have developed the 50kn engine that we can use on our stealth UCAV Ghatak. We are also developing the Kaveri Marine Engine that can be used for small to medium size ships so thank god the B J P government fixed and resolved a project that was continuously failing and going to be scrapped with a lot of wasted money.

 

[St. Thomas]

Only words.......
Still struggling in developing a 49 KN engine and talking about 110 KN, 125 KN and 145 KN . These officials know well that by the time we will retire and the new joinee will find an excuse for themselves as this is the pattern in last 4 decades. GTRE has failed to provide the nation a successful jet engine in last 4 decades. Where is their work ethics lies ?
We all know the Jet engine is one of the toughest technology in world but 4 decades are enough to reach even on moon and mars . The accountability and answerability must be given to everyone .

Only talks and talks and no action. When is this going to come? When humans are about to become extinct from the world?

 

[R. Singh]

Govt must ink deal with UK for joint develoment of 110 KN engine for AMCA-MK-1, MWF ( Internal weapon bay variant) and 95 KN engine for 97 upgraded Tejas-MK-1A ! Deal with Rolls Royce also include STOVL engine for AMCA-N/TEDBF !

 

[Prem Jain]

The time bound goal is missing in our R&D establishment. Once fixed it may vary due to valid reasons, but we can expect something. Here the GTRE is taking engine development as a government work rather than a commercial or industrial work. The scientists who are really contributing may get no motivation where as the cham chas may be thriving. This needs to be changed and real work must be appreciated. With dedicated and determined work, there will be desired result as our scientists are one of the best in the world. Let’s hope for the best .

 

[sanket]

Nice, looks like the Russian engine AL-51 core will be miniaturised with the GTRE 110 kN thrust engine. No other engine has yet been developed with 145 kN thrust apart from the F-35 jet, which the US will not part with to Bharat.

Safran hasn't developed such a high thrust engine yet, and they will most likely not share Transfer of Technology (ToT) with Bharat for local Manufacturing (MFG) of those critical components. It appears France wants Bharat to depend on them and import those components from France.

It's likely going to be Rolls-Royce (RR) or the Russian AL-51. One point is clear: GTRE wants the core technology, and the rest will be developed indigenously.

I have said 100 times that a foreign partner for the engine would impact the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) competition too. If Safran fails to clinch the engine deal, they might return empty-handed in the MRFA competition. It's not easy for Safran to win both the engine development race and the MRFA competition.

If RR or Russia wins the engine development race, then the Su-57 might be the winner, as the same technology can be used in a future Super Sukhoi upgrade.

I have several times said that the Super Sukhoi upgrade should consider an AL-51 derivative with a GaN-based Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and GANDIV missile, plus the ability to carry many heavy weapons. A future derivative of the AL-51 would be handy for the Super Sukhoi.

 

[Raakbas]

Yeah, yeah, we all know about the possibilities, the opportunities, the capabilities of our DPSUs, but what to do? We have Kashi, Mathura, National elections, State elections, Municipal elections, and we need time for campaigning, PR. In our country, we cannot even inaugurate a bridge without the availability of the PM! Where will he find the time to inaugurate the engines?

Even in BRICS, Russia and Iran have started to trade in their own currencies. China has introduced a Digital Renminbi, and Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, and Indonesia have started to make payments using Digital Yuan. Worse, Japan, South Korea, and China have formed an alliance to jointly negotiate with the US so they don't get screwed individually. We are inert as usual. This publication manufactures stories also, as usual.

 

[Mithu Roy]

Stop daydreaming. Get the tech partner to set up testing facilities including IL76 aircraft for testing the engine in the FD light mode.

We have to get the material, blisk forging, machining, and coating tech from the tech partner albeit at a very high cost. I think GE will share most of it.

Even Russians can share it against costs.

We can't avoid any further delay.

 

[Midhun]

Nice, looks like the Russian engine AL-51 core will be miniaturised with the GTRE 110 kN thrust engine. No other engine has yet been developed with 145 kN thrust apart from the F-35 jet, which the US will not part with to Bharat.

Safran hasn't developed such a high thrust engine yet, and they will most likely not share Transfer of Technology (ToT) with Bharat for local Manufacturing (MFG) of those critical components. It appears France wants Bharat to depend on them and import those components from France.

It's likely going to be Rolls-Royce (RR) or the Russian AL-51. One point is clear: GTRE wants the core technology, and the rest will be developed indigenously.

I have said 100 times that a foreign partner for the engine would impact the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) competition too. If Safran fails to clinch the engine deal, they might return empty-handed in the MRFA competition. It's not easy for Safran to win both the engine development race and the MRFA competition.

If RR or Russia wins the engine development race, then the Su-57 might be the winner, as the same technology can be used in a future Super Sukhoi upgrade.

I have several times said that the Super Sukhoi upgrade should consider an AL-51 derivative with a GaN-based Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and GANDIV missile, plus the ability to carry many heavy weapons. A future derivative of the AL-51 would be handy for the Super Sukhoi.

Yes, I think they will do as you say. The air force was clueless about it, but right now you have made a clear path for them to follow. They will for sure be taking this into account.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Russians have hot core tech. Ask them to transfer it for AL-31FP engine. In return, buy Su-57s with India-specific changes.

 

[S. Gupta]

In my view Kaveri Engine can give 103KN as it is. It can further give up to 230KN thrust.

 

[Vipul Kumar]

Safran and Rolls Royce have clearly said that India will receive 100% of the technology and manufacture it entirely within India.

Whatever they are promising is on media; in reality, they won't give more than 80 percent of the ToT.