Indigenous 120 kN Engine for AMCA Nears Pre-sanction, Leveraging Past Kaveri Experience and Global Expertise for Accelerated Development

India's ambition to develop a powerful, domestically produced engine for its futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is advancing significantly, with a 120 kilonewton (kN) thrust engine project reportedly approaching to complete the pre-sanction phase.

This development represents a crucial step towards achieving self-sufficiency in critical military aerospace technology and is poised to become one of the nation's most prominent defence research initiatives.

For many years, India's indigenous defence projects have encountered considerable challenges, often stemming not from a shortage of funds but from a lack of cohesive effort among various organisations.

However, sources indicate a renewed sense of strategic purpose is now driving the AMCA engine project. Key Indian entities, including the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), and various academic institutions, are reportedly collaborating closely.

This unified approach is seen as essential to overcoming previous obstacles and ensuring the project's success. The AMCA itself is envisioned as a fifth-generation stealth fighter, requiring an advanced engine capable of delivering substantial thrust while helping the aircraft maintain a low radar profile.

The creation of a next-generation fighter engine demands highly specialised knowledge. This requirement has been carefully assessed, and steps have been taken to bridge any existing expertise gaps.

It is understood that major international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have been engaged in intensive consultations to fast-track the development process.

These discussions have reportedly provided vital insights, helping to align India’s technological capabilities with global benchmarks and ensuring the 120 kN engine will meet the demanding performance standards of modern air combat.

A formal proposal for the 120 kN engine, which is planned to be developed in partnership with private Indian firms to power the AMCA, has now progressed to the pre-sanction stage. Senior government officials are said to be closely tracking the project's advancement, indicating strong backing from the highest levels of administration.

If formally approved, this initiative could rank among India's most valuable military aerospace endeavours. The project's sanction file is anticipated to be submitted to a top governmental office for a final critical review and approval in the near future.

GTRE, a leading defence research laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has an extensive background in aero-engine technology, notably including its work on the Kaveri engine.

While the Kaveri project faced its own set of challenges and did not initially meet all requirements for previous aircraft programs, the invaluable experience and technical knowledge acquired during its development are now being effectively applied to the new 120 kN engine.

This leveraging of past lessons is considered a key factor in the accelerated progress of the current engine program, which is critical for the capabilities of the AMCA.

The successful development of this engine would significantly reduce India's reliance on foreign suppliers for powering its frontline fighter aircraft.

 

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[Gajanan Hirde]

So, when we can see the aircraft flying? Say another 30 years

 

[sanket]

Wow, that means AMCA engine will be developed with GTRE and private players from Bharat, and not with foreign OEM. Great, hope official work will start soon.

 

[INDIAN]

But where are the testing facilities, high-altitude testing, test bed aircraft? Currently, every time we have to take our engines to Russia for testing. The Indian government must develop these testing facilities within the country. This work must finish first; only then can we take up new engine development.

 

[ceaserndka]

come on- nearing pre-sanction? and sanction when?? 2035??

 

[V K Singh]

Since private players and Companies are involved, it will be easy to hier top engineers, technocrats and scientists expert in fighter jet planes engines to develop an world class engine for 5- 6 generation fighter class engines. Hope all is done quickly and smartly .

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

A testing facility should be set up first. Each of the work should be distributed to different private companies. GTRE and DRDO should be the final assembler and carry out the testing.

 

[R. Singh]

CII should form consortium of L&T, Godrej, Bharat forge+Kirloskar to make 90-95 KN and 110-130 Kn engines in India ! This consortium should hire foreign engine experts to form R & D team !

 

[tlsmani]

So, when we can see the aircraft flying? Say another 30 years

Whos santtions.Pan chewing babus?

 

[Leo red]

Get all private players: Tata, Reliance, Adani, Mahindra, L&T in its development. If anyone denies, impose high taxes on them. Also, if they want to earn money, of course, they can. But for research, let them spend and the government to give subsidy for their industry sale. By hook or by crook, get them in. Only HAL for development is like suicide. By the way, DRDO is doing good but slow. Very slow. They should get more young boys in the team.

 

[Vinith]

Private companies of India should be involved in development along with DRDO and HAL, etc. The government should encourage private companies of India to be involved in this development.

 

[Bhaskar Ambekar]

After years of research and development, when DRDO develops a 120 kN engine, suddenly IAF will ask for a 160 kN engine and reject Indian-made engines and will go for imported ones, even if it's lesser kN.

 

[FROST]

I am sorry. Only statements or models made out of cardboard. The Government agencies are money swallowing units . Not for providing cutting edge technology

 

[Indrajit]

Japanis engine best for amca and it will made in Indo jap joint venture.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s very important that we quickly finalise a deal soon so that we can start to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture the engine with a foreign partner who can use it for their own needs.

Currently it will take at least 10yrs before we can even start to manufacture it on a large scale which is a long time. This project allows us to be involved from the start in designing the engine, technology, parts and components and material that will be used etc.

 

[RJ Tushar]

So can we see Indigenous engine for amca before 2035 as amca supposed to be go in production by that year, also did government clear 1600cr requested by gtre for HAT facility.

 

[RJ Tushar]

So can we see Indigenous engine for amca before 2035 as amca supposed to be go in production by that year, also did government clear 1600cr requested by gtre for HAT facility.

 

[abm]

Private companies in India are worse. They won't spend a single penny in research. When was the last time an Indian corporation created a ground breaking technology? They are only good at manufacturing something when the IP is with some other research body.