GTRE Indicates Rolls-Royce as Frontrunner in Race for AMCA Jet's 110kN Engine, Complete Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) a Key Factor

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is in advanced talks with Rolls-Royce and Safran for the co-development of a powerful 110kN engine destined to power India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter jet. A GTRE official has revealed that a decision on the chosen vendor is imminent, with recommendations soon to be submitted to the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

While both companies are strong contenders, Rolls-Royce appears to have the edge due to its comprehensive engine roadmap and, crucially, its offer to transfer complete Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) to GTRE. This would grant India full autonomy over the engine's design and technology, a significant advantage for future development and modification. In contrast, Safran has proposed only partial IPR transfer, potentially limiting India's control over the technology.

Both companies have committed to establishing production facilities in India and assisting with engine testing, a critical step in the development process. However, the GTRE official hinted that Rolls-Royce's offer of complete IPR transfer is a major factor in their current preference. This aligns with India's increasing focus on self-reliance in defence technology and its desire to become a major player in the global aerospace industry.

The final decision, however, rests with the MoD, which will need to weigh strategic and geopolitical considerations alongside the technological merits of each proposal. The selection of the engine partner is a crucial step in the AMCA program, as the new 110kN engine will be vital for the fighter jet's performance, influencing its speed, maneuverability, and endurance.

The AMCA program is a flagship project for India's defence industry, aiming to develop a cutting-edge fighter jet with advanced capabilities including stealth technology, supercruise, and network-centric warfare capabilities. The successful development of the AMCA will significantly enhance the IAF's operational strength and contribute to India's indigenous defence capabilities.

It is important to note that while the GTRE official indicated a preference for Rolls-Royce, the MoD will make the final decision. Factors such as cost, technology transfer, and geopolitical implications will all play a role in the final selection. The decision is expected to be announced soon and will have a significant impact on the future of India's aerospace industry.

 

[Foxbat]

There were news in only media that the AMCA Jet's 110kN Engine partner in collaboration with GTRE will be announced during the Aero India 2025. But, as usual it is always just hot air and it will take ages before coming to decision making. This is the common practice of Indian bureaucrats and the Indian defence industry's top management executives. This is the reason why India lags behind china, turkey and even Korea far behind due to poor planning, delayed jdecision making and moving in snail pace progress. This has been the case with Tejas's from it's first flight till now and it's follow up variants. I always wondered do these executives in defence industries and the bureaucrats ever take a good at china's progress by leaps and bounds and feel the disparity in IAF fighter squadrons, advanced technology fighter aircrafts and growing numbers compared with china.

 

[sanket]

Good to see it's European as expected, but not US. If RR is chosen, then does it affect the MRFA winner too? Is MRFA going to see a new winner, Eurofighter or Su-57? GE is not even in discussion; it should be kept away. No more delay in the stealth fighter jet project. Remember last time MMRCA Eurofighter was runner-up.

 

[Foxbat]

In my opinion we should not be very dependent on Safran in most of the military procurement. The IAF and Indian bureaucrats must not allow them tied up to these two foreign military contractors all the time. I have read many articles regarding this AMCA Jet's 110kN Engine partner in collaboration with GTRE is very much points to Rolls Royce and their offer compared with Safran seems too good to resist. In my observation Rolls Royce has a longer years of experience in producing advanced technology aircraft engines. I am hoping very much that with internal hank pinky the decision makers will not be swayed to choose Safran instead. The way I look at it Safran is confident that the Indians are loaded and can easily milk them in choosing their products even though their offer has been very stringent to their favour. The IAF, GTRE and Indian bureaucrats must diversify their military procurements. I hope the GTRE and the bureaucrats will pick Rolls Royce as the partner in AMCA Jet's 110kN Engine production.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Conclude you discussion and negotiation phase early. If Rolls Royace and Safran will establish production facility in India, then will we be only funding partners?

 

[kumar]

Put pressure on Safran for complete Tot and get the deal signed. It is better for us this way.

 

[Sanatani Yodha]

They will make same mistake by choosing UK based Rolls Royce… just like US based GE made big promises but under Biden term, they didn’t deliver anything!! Similarly UK political discourse becoming hostile towards India, they will not let Rolls Royce to deliver anything….
Better choose France …. They have independent policies (out of US influence)…

 

[मित्र]

Lets go ahead with RR and let safran do RR (R Rona) with their 80s engine IPR.

 

[rocky]

Rolls Royce has vast experience in engines. Safran, on the other hand, has in their entire lifetime produced only one engine, which is the M88 in Rafale. Read about RR's Trent series; they are a big player producing 400kn engines.

 

[Senapati]

The Safran and RR are experienced and capable partners for 110kN engine required for AMCA TEDBF and Tejas Mk2.
We must choose a partner who will transfer technology under TOT for local manufacture and right to modify with local components and spareparts.

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Good to see it's European as expected, but not US. If RR is chosen, then does it affect the MRFA winner too? Is MRFA going to see a new winner, Eurofighter or Su-57? GE is not even in discussion; it should be kept away. No more delay in the stealth fighter jet project. Remember last time MMRCA Eurofighter was runner-up.

Seems like the Indian MoD is arranging a 10-year interval 4th Gen Fighter World Cup (MRFA) 😂

I fully agree with the engine part though.

 

[Yes]

Put pressure on Safran for complete Tot and get the deal signed. It is better for us this way.

Safran and Dassault are clowns. They haven't even put in sincere efforts to substantiate the offset clauses in the Rafale deal.

I don't understand why some fanbois are going gaga over the French when it's clearly evident that they do not wish to play ball.

 

[Preet]

Rolls Royce has vast experience in engines. Safran, on the other hand, has in their entire lifetime produced only one engine, which is the M88 in Rafale. Read about RR's Trent series; they are a big player producing 400kn engines.

Ever seen the engine on Mirage? 🤣 They made a 95-100kn engine way back in the 1960-70s... and just see how much lighter the French engines are compared to its competitors... be factually correct at least.

 

[Sangram]

Labour party is in power and whole deep state shifted to UK now they are on same path of GE F404 🤦🏽

 

[Provocateur Extraordinaire]

The French have already been tested regarding their commitments on ToT, offsets, and local manufacturing in past deals, and the results have not been good. If indeed the Rolls Royce offer is more appealing, we should go with that, never mind the so-called geo-political angle. In the end, both are western nations with similarity in their geopolitical orientation, so it will matter little. RR may or may not deliver on its commitments, one can't be sure since it has not been tested, but the French have a dismal record of broken promises. A classic reverse case of the conventional wisdom: Better the devil you don't know rather than the one you do know.

 

[Puneet]

The one who can deliver without delay or glitches should be selected, unlike GE. IPR can be dealt with. Absorption of technology and best manufacturing practices is the key, which will enable India to develop and manufacture its own 120k engine with full IPR rights.

 

[Kailash]

Safran and Dassault are clowns. They haven't even put in sincere efforts to substantiate the offset clauses in the Rafale deal.

I don't understand why some fanbois are going gaga over the French when it's clearly evident that they do not wish to play ball.

Saffron and GE are playing to U.S tune to be honest..

 

[Rinku Pandey]

No need for either. Focus should be on Atmanirbharta. Develop Kaveri 2.0, 3.0. We have great scientists in Bharat. With proper funding and with the help of the Pvt sector like Adani, we can surely achieve a 6th-gen engine. Employ senior engineers from GE, RR, Safran & PW on double the salaries. China didn't have the expertise to land fighters on aircraft carriers, but they employed retired fighter pilots from the US and UK on quadruple the salaries.

 

[FROST]

How long the talks be going with other parties. Every Govt organization is trying to slow down the ambition and security of the Nation. One may be forced to doubt that these agencies want the Govt to buy equipments from outside so that they can pocket some money. What happened to our engineers and scientists? Are they dumb?

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

I personally would like GTRE collaborating with Rolls-Royce instead of Safran or GE. Safran is more focused on holding on to IPR or partial. Whereas any future collaboration with American military manufacturers is at great risk. Therefore, future deals should be traded with great concern on sanctions and deals could be tactfully delayed indefinitely.

 

[FROST]

No need for either. Focus should be on Atmanirbharta. Develop Kaveri 2.0, 3.0. We have great scientists in Bharat. With proper funding and with the help of the Pvt sector like Adani, we can surely achieve a 6th-gen engine. Employ senior engineers from GE, RR, Safran & PW on double the salaries. China didn't have the expertise to land fighters on aircraft carriers, but they employed retired fighter pilots from the US and UK on quadruple the salaries.

Yes. Give the task to pvt parties. They will pick the best even from outside and not be forced to take inept locals on the basis of equality. Let Rahul Gandhi and likes shout. Don't heed . These are negative forces encouraging enemies

 

[Foxbat]

The Safran and RR are experienced and capable partners for 110kN engine required for AMCA TEDBF and Tejas Mk2.
We must choose a partner who will transfer technology under TOT for local manufacture and right to modify with local components and spareparts.

This exactly what oseveral article here has been saying that Rolls Royce is willing to comply with India's request for full ToT and Rolls Royce offers complete transfer of IPR. It's all mentioned in the above article.

 

[FROST]

I don't know why my opinion is not reflected in this page. This platform should allow all the opinions in the interest of Nation

 

[KRITIKAA]

Rolls Royce has vast experience in engines. Safran, on the other hand, has in their entire lifetime produced only one engine, which is the M88 in Rafale. Read about RR's Trent series; they are a big player producing 400kn engines.

Rolls Royce only promises to betray... look how they delayed and sabotaged the Kaveri Engine...

Plus Labour Partys animus towards India they will Not Allow India to get 100% TOT. Safran is the beat bet with Russia as a backup.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Give MRFA to Rafale and offset with M88 engine 100% tech transfer. We will build using M88 tech know-how. Or Su-57 with full engine tech transfer within 5yr timeframe.

Just funding for a new engine is a waste of money. They delay transferring core tech for another decade like Su-30 transfer.

Or those getting the MRFA deal should help AMCA engine development support within a particular time.

All eying money but no engine tech. Nobody will give the latest tech easily.