GTRE Confirms Parallel Domestic R&D on AMCA Engine Amidst Plans for Foreign Collaboration

India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is actively developing advanced engine technologies domestically, even as it pursues collaboration with an international partner for the engine powering the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), according to the establishment's director.

Dr. S.V. Ramanamurthy, Director of GTRE, confirmed this dual approach recently. He stated that while India plans to engage in co-design and co-development with a global engine manufacturer for the AMCA's powerplant, significant research and development within India has already commenced.

"From our side, we have already started R&D work in collaboration with institutes and academia," Dr. Ramanamurthy explained, emphasizing that work on essential advanced technologies is underway.

This strategy signifies a key development in India's long-term objective of achieving self-sufficiency in critical military aircraft propulsion systems. The new engine, specifically intended for the later AMCA Mk2 variant, aims for a thrust of 120kN.

This clarifies previous media reports that had incorrectly cited a 110kN figure. The AMCA itself represents India's ambitious project to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet.

GTRE, based in Bengaluru, is spearheading India's efforts in aero engine development and is formulating a strategy for high-thrust engines suitable for next-generation combat aircraft.

While the initial AMCA Mk1 fighters will utilize the proven GE F414 engine from the United States, the ultimate goal remains the integration of a domestically developed engine for later versions.

India has been negotiating potential technology transfer and joint development agreements with major international aerospace engine manufacturers, including Safran (France), Rolls-Royce (UK), and GE Aerospace (USA).

Dr. Ramanamurthy's statements underscore India's balanced approach: seeking expertise from established global players while simultaneously strengthening its own technological base through domestic research and partnerships with academic institutions. This parallel effort aims to build indigenous capability for future defence requirements.

 

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[sanket]

I have already said it. These are my exact words. I have been saying several times GTRE is working with AMCA engine developments, and by the time a foreign partner is selected, then work-share agreements will be signed to develop resp tech. Good to know that GTRE has involved academia and institutes. Maybe two parallel programmes are going on. Good initiative. Love to see ISRO, BrahMos Aerospace, MIDHANI too join hands, plus some private players from the aero-engine eco-system who are part of the global supply chain can also join hands. Bad time started for comedians and jokers to look for another platform for their show.

 

[Somnath Sinhababu]

This project should monitor by PMO itself...because it can change the game for India...If India manage to master this technology then everything is sorted...PMO can ensure required funds and approprate timeline..I will say entire AMCA should come under PMO direct control...Its very very urgent and must step....

 

[swatkats_razor]

This project should monitor by PMO itself...because it can change the game for India...If India manage to master this technology then everything is sorted...PMO can ensure required funds and approprate timeline..I will say entire AMCA should come under PMO direct control...Its very very urgent and must step....

I don't think micro-managing will do much good for the project. Either way, one can question what specialization PMO has with respect to monitoring jet engine's development other than enabling smoother funding for the teams involved.

I guess the project if it were to be closely monitored by IAF would have a more favourable outcome.

 

[Anupom]

GTRE should confirm & clear the specs about this new engine. The features & it's dry thrust rating also. Lower thrust can not fulfill the requirement of 6th gen platform.

 

[P.K Senapati]

Co-design and co-development of a new 120 to 140kN engine should be aimed at a 6th generation future aircraft.

AMCA 5th generation is being designed to be fitted with 98kN GE414 for prototype development.

The production version to be fitted with a 110kN joint development with minimal risk and change with minimal time should be an evolution of GE414 or RR Eurojet.

 

[Sandeep]

This statement is odd and makes no sense. Why the helll would GTRE be looking at and preparing the research and development of a 5th generation stealth engine when we are already going to develop it with a foreign partner? The reason why we are going to develop it with a foreign partner is because nobody in India is capable of developing it properly.

It would make more sense to get them to first try and develop a brand new engine to replace the F404 and F414 engines which would be much easier for them to do so.

 

[beencensured]

I don't think micro-managing will do much good for the project. Either way, one can question what specialization PMO has with respect to monitoring jet engine's development other than enabling smoother funding for the teams involved.

I guess the project if it were to be closely monitored by IAF would have a more favourable outcome.

It is more a bureaucratic thing, that immediate attention is given to a project instead of the run around. Being under PMO ensures timely funding, progress, and fewer hurdles. Imagine if GTRE said no flying test bed for engine, do you think PMO could hide this as they do now?

 

[Python]

This statement is odd and makes no sense. Why the helll would GTRE be looking at and preparing the research and development of a 5th generation stealth engine when we are already going to develop it with a foreign partner? The reason why we are going to develop it with a foreign partner is because nobody in India is capable of developing it properly.

It would make more sense to get them to first try and develop a brand new engine to replace the F404 and F414 engines which would be much easier for them to do so.

Actually, I don't think any country is going to share the full engine tech with us, however much money we give. So, GTRE is trying to do whatever it can. They should also start collaborating with trusted private firms and students from IIT and other institutions. We can develop an engine with a foreign OEM and our own engine in parallel, and we can have our own sixth-gen engine.

 

[RG]

Glad to hear this, they should always be working on new generation tech. But make sure to work with the involvement of private players, they can help cross the hurdle faster, financial and management responsibility in the hands to private players make decisions faster. Work with everyone within the country from academia, private and public sector to make faster decisions, freedom to make quick decision,. Make sure all kinds of test facility is available within the country, so useful time is not lost searching and getting appointment to send, this would be valuable time wasted.

 

[Sandeep]

Actually, I don't think any country is going to share the full engine tech with us, however much money we give. So, GTRE is trying to do whatever it can. They should also start collaborating with trusted private firms and students from IIT and other institutions. We can develop an engine with a foreign OEM and our own engine in parallel, and we can have our own sixth-gen engine.

Well, we will obviously make sure to create a legally binding and enforceable contract to make sure we 100% indigenously develop and manufacture the entire engine in India.

 

[Akshat]

Actually, I don't think any country is going to share the full engine tech with us, however much money we give. So, GTRE is trying to do whatever it can. They should also start collaborating with trusted private firms and students from IIT and other institutions. We can develop an engine with a foreign OEM and our own engine in parallel, and we can have our own sixth-gen engine.

It's not about 100% ToT. Of course, they will hold some things back. Though France and UK have said that they will share everything, and France does have all the tech (albeit for a 75kN engine) unlike RR which relies on other European engine makers for most of it's components. But still, it is doubtful anyone will make us self sufficient.

But the fact is that GTRE especially has been a big failure and even worse, it keeps lying to the GoI and the public about the actual status of the Kaveri engine. So the plan is probably to get as much as possible - both in terms of know how and know why - and then work from there to get to 100%. GTRE surely has failed to impress so far.

 

[Akshat]

Well, we will obviously make sure to create a legally binding and enforceable contract to make sure we 100% indigenously develop and manufacture the entire engine in India.

And who will enforce that contract? You saw with F404, HAL couldn't enforce the penalty clause on GE. Similarly, Boeing had promised to make a lab in India as part of offsets but then backtracked. And we couldn't do a thing about it. So enforcing such contracts is nearly impossible.