Indian Defence Ministry Recommends Choosing French Safran for 120 kN AMCA Engine Co-Development Under ₹61,000 Cr Investment

In a significant move towards technological self-reliance, India's Ministry of Defence has formally recommended a partnership with French aerospace leader Safran to jointly develop a new generation of fighter jet engines.

This landmark decision is a major step forward for one of India's most ambitious defence manufacturing projects, aiming to equip its future fleet of combat aircraft with domestically produced power plants.

The recommendation follows a thorough evaluation process conducted by expert technical committees and stakeholders from the Indian aerospace industry. Proposals from international engine manufacturers, including the UK’s Rolls-Royce, were carefully considered.

Ultimately, the French offer was deemed more advantageous, primarily due to its commitment to a complete transfer of technology (ToT). This transfer is crucial as it includes the critical design philosophies and manufacturing processes that have so far been mastered by only a handful of nations worldwide.

The project, valued at an estimated ₹61,000 crore, will focus on the co-development of a powerful 120 kilonewton (kN) thrust class engine. This new engine is specifically intended to power India's futuristic fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The collaboration with Safran, which manufactures the M88 engines for the Rafale jets already in service with the Indian Air Force, is seen as a strategic alignment that builds upon an existing defence relationship.

According to the development timeline for the AMCA programme, the first prototypes are expected to roll out by 2026-27, with a maiden flight targeted for 2028.

While the new Indo-French engine is under development, the initial prototypes and early production models of the AMCA will likely be powered by the American-made GE Aerospace F414 engine to avoid delays.

The parallel development strategy ensures the aircraft program progresses while the core engine technology is being indigenised. Over the coming decades, India anticipates a requirement for over 250 of these advanced engines for its planned AMCA squadrons.

This initiative is driven by the government's long-term vision, championed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, to establish a robust indigenous design and manufacturing ecosystem for critical defence technologies. For decades, India's fighter jets have relied exclusively on foreign-origin engines.

Previous attempts to develop a domestic engine, such as the Kaveri project by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), did not produce the required thrust for modern fighter aircraft, although a derivative is now being successfully adapted to power unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

This new partnership with France aims to overcome past hurdles and establish India as a key player in global aviation propulsion engineering.

 

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[ddzz13687]

India should choose Rolls-Royce for co-developing advanced gen engine with full ip rights.
Rolls-Royce ej200 engine is more efficient than Safran m88 engine.
And Rolls-Royce has good experience.
Since India is spending 61k cr for co-developing these engines.
The government should choose Rolls-Royce to co-develop these jet engine with full ip rights.
India shouldn't spend money on French made engine. It is not worth it.

 

[Mayank393]

You're right, bro — technically, Rolls-Royce is a better option. But geopolitics plays a bigger role here. We have a long-standing relationship with France, and they maintain an independent foreign policy, unlike the UK. France is also our most trusted partner in Europe.
Don’t forget, the UK's foreign policy often shifts depending on the current regime, and the United States is its closest ally. To maintain good relations with the US, the UK could potentially ditch us at any time. That could be a major reason why India isn’t considering them seriously.
Let’s wait until the government releases any official document related to this deal.

 

[Dranzer Knight]

Well even technological wise rolls Royce is better compared to Safran well going through geopolitical scenarios I would say France is far better choice because UK is heavily influenced by the US and looking at the past I would say UK is not the best option.Just have a look at what they did to Australia.Australia cancelled the deal with France for AUKUS nuclear submarines but till now there hadn’t been any progress success the change of government in US.But our relations with France had been strong from the beginning and looking at Shakti engine which France had helped us in that too even if the critical components come directly from France but they have never once backdown from their commitment and let’s not forget what recent one of the famous UK media The Telegraph has said they directly called India as their enemy

 

[ddzz13687]

@Mayank393
If the government is going spend to spend so much money jointly developing a advanced gen jet engine. It might as well choose Rolls-Royce with ip rights.
The government is however going to finalize the deal for ge f414 engines.
After signing, GE will start its work.
It might as well choose Rolls-Royce with ip rights.
I'd support Rolls-Royce offer.
India should be able to export these engines after developing them indigenously and recover the cost expenditure.
Another option is DPUs and Indian private sector companies collaborate to develop these engines.

 

[ddzz13687]

You're right, bro — technically, Rolls-Royce is a better option. But geopolitics plays a bigger role here. We have a long-standing relationship with France, and they maintain an independent foreign policy, unlike the UK. France is also our most trusted partner in Europe.
Don’t forget, the UK's foreign policy often shifts depending on the current regime, and the United States is its closest ally. To maintain good relations with the US, the UK could potentially ditch us at any time. That could be a major reason why India isn’t considering them seriously.
Let’s wait until the government releases any official document related to this deal.

And France didn't share critical component technology, didn't provide source code for the rafale aircraft. And didn't help much for the kaveri engine. I don't trust France also.

 

[Sun Beam]

India should choose Rolls-Royce for co-developing advanced gen engine with full ip rights.
Rolls-Royce ej200 engine is more efficient than Safran m88 engine.
And Rolls-Royce has good experience.
Since India is spending 61k cr for co-developing these engines.
The government should choose Rolls-Royce to co-develop these jet engine with full ip rights.
India shouldn't spend money on French made engine. It is not worth it.

You are a true Indian boldly expressing your patriotic views..... Though Safran had been helping us in the past, Rolls-Royce seems to in a better state to help this country for future engines with advanced sixth generation engine proving us whole set of engines as to IDRW.org in it's past essay.....

Rafale & Safran had not provided the source code for Rafale putting us in cross roads to integrate our own indigenous weapons till now.... As for the development of Kaveri engine, Safran didn't provide us full TOT or at least to keep it's words for the negotiated technology as for as the Kaveri engine development ending in difficulties in the recent past as to 2016 negotiations as to IDRW.org essay few days back...... It seems Rolls-Royce provides us the future of Indian aero engine technologies.....

A lot of excess money was invested in Rafael procurement in 2016 when the Dassault fighter was purchased but with very less benefits as to IDRW.org essay....

We can continue our business ties with Rafale & Saffron but here Rolls-Royce shouldn't be ignored as we may loose the future of sixth gen engine technologies...

It seems a lot of money was wasted in the procurement of Rafales in 2016 as to critic's in their essays.... We may go another 36 Rafales in F-5 configuration with low cost to compensate the previous losses......

Jai hind..... Let's us be true to our nation & the Indian 140 crore citizens......

 

[Sun Beam]

You're right, bro — technically, Rolls-Royce is a better option. But geopolitics plays a bigger role here. We have a long-standing relationship with France, and they maintain an independent foreign policy, unlike the UK. France is also our most trusted partner in Europe.
Don’t forget, the UK's foreign policy often shifts depending on the current regime, and the United States is its closest ally. To maintain good relations with the US, the UK could potentially ditch us at any time. That could be a major reason why India isn’t considering them seriously.
Let’s wait until the government releases any official document related to this deal.

See let's us continue the ties with Dassault aviation as to the past & present scenario but why to ignore Rolls-Royce? Sign all the documents as to the present negotiations carrier out which will give a strong hold and future technological benefits..
.....

In 2016, as to media reports, we didn't even get the guaranty for the 36 Rafael's procured.... How for it's true, not known..... But still the source code problem continues & Kaveri engine development faced a lot's of difficulties not cooperating as to the negotiations not even provided the limited technology entirely as to critic's essay.....

Dassault aviation is our good partner but we have to select the best partnership for our AMCA engine development with proper documentation & signing of the papers for a Win-Win situation......

 

[Sun Beam]

Well even technological wise rolls Royce is better compared to Safran well going through geopolitical scenarios I would say France is far better choice because UK is heavily influenced by the US and looking at the past I would say UK is not the best option.Just have a look at what they did to Australia.Australia cancelled the deal with France for AUKUS nuclear submarines but till now there hadn’t been any progress success the change of government in US.But our relations with France had been strong from the beginning and looking at Shakti engine which France had helped us in that too even if the critical components come directly from France but they have never once backdown from their commitment and let’s not forget what recent one of the famous UK media The Telegraph has said they directly called India as their enemy

Sirs, if you are not trusting UK why you all these negotiations upto 100% TOT? Safran accepted to provide the same after Rolls-Royce negotiations..... All of a sudden Geopolitical politics comes into picture after a decision was made to go with Safran? Let's us has our business partnership with Safran, they too are good people ....... Why to deviate with Rolls-Royce after making so many negotiations with them in the recent past? It's our country's benefit and not geopolitical fear.... This fear will kill our future..... If HAL was given full power & property monitored by Defence ministry as to 2013 negotiations with Dassault aviation, we would be having hundred's of Rafales now with proper adequate costs benefiting IAF & the nation.... No waste of the economy.....

Decission making is a very difficult scenario in the project of any technological advancements & coming with new technologies..... So it should be properly made keeping in mind with the national interest.......

 

[Sun Beam]

Sir, the benefits of the engine in Eurofighter Typhoon is not at all spoken or discussed..... DRDO & GTRE has announced they are compatible with 5Gen engine technology & planning to go for Sixth generation engine technology with foreign partner ......

What about our good friend Safron regarding 5th & 6th generation engine technologies..
...? I think M88 is just around 75KN & seems to be 4th generation engine technology as the available media reports......

GTRE is slowly overcoming all the bottle necks from single crystal blade to Super Alloys and other related technologies.... DRDO says they can & have the capabilities to produce 5th generation engine & Rolls-Royce promises to provide 6th generation engine technology..... Why are we not trying to make it a reality as of now speaking about some unknown artificial difficulties?

 

[AK49]

India should choose Rolls-Royce for co-developing advanced gen engine with full ip rights.
Rolls-Royce ej200 engine is more efficient than Safran m88 engine.
And Rolls-Royce has good experience.
Since India is spending 61k cr for co-developing these engines.
The government should choose Rolls-Royce to co-develop these jet engine with full ip rights.
India shouldn't spend money on French made engine. It is not worth it.

GE has been a disappointment with frequent Delays, better to stick to Reliable Supply Chains and Partners especially in Critical Areas for Delivery on Time. GE appears to be a good Lesson.

 

[ddzz13687]

GE has been a disappointment with frequent Delays, better to stick to Reliable Supply Chains and Partners especially in Critical Areas for Delivery on Time. GE appears to be a good Lesson.

Yes. This is because of the new Trump administration coming to power. The Indian government will sign the deal with the current US regime. The work will start after signing the documents and formalities are completed. The Indian government has already chosen f414 engines for Tejas mk2 and Amca mk1.
I favor the government to choose Rolls-Royce for advanced gen jet engines with full ip rights.
Once the deal is through and the documentation is signed and formalities completed, work will start with the oem.

We shouldn't the Biden administration favored the jet engine deal with India, and also gave a caatsa waiver, when for the Triumf s- 400 air defense system.
We have to think positively.