IAF Endorses Foreign JV in AMCA Engine Development for Initial Boost, with Long-Term Goal of Complete Indigenous Production

In a significant development for India's indigenous fighter jet program, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has expressed strong support for a collaborative approach to developing the engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

While the ultimate goal remains complete indigenous production, the strategy now involves partnering with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to design the engine's core, while Indian scientists and engineers focus on developing the low-pressure (LP) side.

This strategic shift aims to leverage international expertise for the more complex aspects of jet engine development, specifically the combustor core and high-pressure components, which are critical for performance and efficiency.

By partnering with a foreign OEM, India can benefit from advanced technologies and accelerate the AMCA program while simultaneously building its own manufacturing and design capabilities.

The IAF emphasizes a "learn alongside" approach, where Indian engineers will gain valuable insights and skills through collaboration with the foreign entity. This knowledge transfer is crucial for India to develop its own expertise in critical areas of jet engine technology.

A key aspect of this partnership is the commitment to achieving 100% localization of the core engine in the long term. This goal is vital not only for the AMCA program but also for the broader aerospace industry in India. It addresses several fundamental challenges:

• Material science: Developing the capacity to produce advanced materials that can withstand the extreme temperatures and pressures within a jet engine core is essential for reducing dependence on foreign supply chains.
• Manufacturing techniques: Mastering the intricate, precision manufacturing processes required for engine cores will elevate India's manufacturing sector and potentially benefit other industries.
• Technology transfer: Securing comprehensive technology transfer will enable India not only to produce the current generation of engines but also to drive future innovations in engine technology.

While this partnership might initially appear to deviate from the goal of complete self-reliance, it is a calculated move towards achieving full indigenous capability.

By starting with a joint venture for the core engine, India can overcome significant technological hurdles, learn from its partner, and gradually take over all aspects of engine production.

This decision has sparked discussions among defence analysts and on social media platforms like X, where there seems to be a consensus that developing a completely indigenous fighter jet engine within the required timelines for the AMCA Mk2 is a significant challenge.

This sentiment reflects an acknowledgment of existing knowledge gaps and the necessity of international collaboration to meet the demanding performance expectations of modern warfare.

By strategically leveraging foreign expertise while remaining committed to long-term indigenous development, India is taking a pragmatic approach to building a robust and self-reliant aerospace industry.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Well that was in fact proposed by Safran. In 2016, Safran had signed a deal with DRDO to make Kaveri work. They audited the engine, and told DRDO that the entire hot core is absolutely useless. As per unnamed sources, they had asked for about 1 Billion USD, part of which would be covered by the rafale offsets, and some royalty on the parts they help fix. It was DRDO which refused, as that would have exposed the truth that after almost 3 decades, Kaveri was absolutely useless.

That's not how I remember the story.

Everyone knew the core was the main issue. And that's where everyone, including Russia, refused to share any technology and know-how. They simply offered to install the core manufactured by them into the engine. Safran only helped in reducing other issues with airflow and other stuff.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

In Barak-8 deal we spent money on development. The tech was out of our reach. Now also we are dependent on Israel for subsystems. For Sukhoi 30 deal it was circulated in media that subsequently whole plane will be manufactured in India without any dependence on Russia. We are still dependent on Russia for SU30 kits.
The jet engine deal with Safran also sounds like this. Since we did not spent adequately on our own engine development programs. We will spend money on co development. It may be on similar lines like M88 core was suggested for Kaveri engine. For long long time we will be dependent on French for hot core even after spending money for co development. In the interest of time go with the proposal. But its more important to fund desi engine development programs adequately.
Make desi engine development industry big enough for companies to see profits and invest more. Develop small engines to begin with. Incentivize companies using these engines to build drones and civilian/trainer/ military aircrafts.
By the way is hot core not used in dry Kaveri engine?

 

[Senapati]

110 kN thrust engine for AMCA should have high indigenious content.Wehave experience of Kaveri.Wecan take a reliable partner so that it can be 50-50 shareing of work partnership.It helps in reducing expenditure time and risk involved.
The final engine will be useful to both .
Russia France or South korea can be trusted.

 

[Akshat]

That's not how I remember the story.

Everyone knew the core was the main issue. And that's where everyone, including Russia, refused to share any technology and know-how. They simply offered to install the core manufactured by them into the engine. Safran only helped in reducing other issues with airflow and other stuff.

Well no one has the official story, of course. But as per reports from former DRDO employees and even Safran officials, DRDO signed the MoU with them, and allowed them to audit the engine. After the audit, Safran told them the hot core is useless, and they can replace it with the tech from M88, which will make sure the engine produces about 83 kN of thrust. But they asked for about a billion dollars (or Euros, can't remember) and royalties on it. Only about 250 million was covered under the offsets due to MoD rules, thus requiring DRDO to pay the rest in hard cash. DRDO refused to do that. That in fact made it very difficult for Safran to meet it's offset requirements, as they were cheated upon by DRDO at the very last moment.

 

[ASHOK CARROL]

A very wise and good decision. An appreciation of Indian aero-engine development and capability will show the country does not have the design, production, and testing facilities, with unprofessional, one-exam, general-list babus controlling the finances and decisions.

First, form a multi-disciplinary aerospace commission headed by professionals, scientists, engineers, IAF fighter pilots, and industry bigwigs.

1. Appoint a professional, financially empowered CEO with experience working with Pratt and Whitney, GE, Rolls Royce, or even Safran.
2. A public-private partnership of DRDO, HAL, GTRE, BEL, LRDE, and large-medium Indian strategic business houses and investors.
3. Hire foreign talent where required on contracts.
4. Build and construct aero-design, testing, and production infrastructure for the complete design, production, and testing of aero-engines and aircraft.
5. Raise money from the market if required to build, incorporate, design, and procure the latest 7th-axis CNC machines, 3D designing of parts, and expertise in material science and metallurgy.
6. Associate IITs, NITs, RECs, and IISc for research and inputs.
7. Babus and Netas must be delinked from any decision-making, approvals, or grants. A former secretary to the government with an IIT engineering degree and experience with ISRO or Atomic Energy must be the only link between the PM, Defence Minister, and Finance Minister.
8. Responsibility and accountability need to be built at each level, as the colonial system of governance inherited from the British has ruined the country, its institutions, and babus who retire with the highest-grade pensions without showing any performance in any sphere of work.