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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to play a pivotal role in the landmark project to develop a new 120 KiloNewton (kN) thrust jet engine for India's futuristic Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
According to D.K. Sunil, the General Manager of Design at HAL, the state-owned aerospace giant will be a significant partner in the initiative, which is being spearheaded by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in collaboration with French engine manufacturer Safran.
While the exact details of HAL's involvement are yet to be finalised, its unique position as India's sole licensed producer of military jet engines makes it an indispensable part of this high-stakes defence program.
HAL's crucial role is backed by decades of hands-on experience in producing complex aero-engines.
The company's facilities have been manufacturing the Saturn AL-31F engines, which power the Indian Air Force's frontline Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fleet, and the Klimov RD-33 engines for the MiG-29 fighters.
This extensive background is further complemented by its current projects, including the development of a 25kN engine for unmanned aerial vehicles and the ongoing negotiations with America's General Electric to locally manufacture the F414 engine, which will power the Tejas Mk2 and the initial batches of the AMCA.
This diverse portfolio demonstrates HAL's established and growing expertise in advanced jet propulsion technology.
The most significant contribution from HAL is expected to be in the areas of manufacturing and large-scale assembly.
The company’s Engine Division in Bengaluru possesses the specialised infrastructure and skilled workforce required for the serial production of the advanced 120kN engine.
This capability, honed over years of producing engines like the 123kN thrust AL-31F, ensures that the AMCA program can meet its production timelines with high-quality, indigenously manufactured powerplants, aligning perfectly with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) policy.
Beyond just assembling the engine, HAL is anticipated to be deeply involved in producing sophisticated internal components. This includes critical parts such as high-pressure compressor blades, turbine stages, and complex afterburner systems.
HAL’s experience with specialised manufacturing techniques, including the use of single-crystal blade technology, will be vital for enabling the new engine to achieve supercruise—sustained supersonic flight without using fuel-guzzling afterburners—a key performance requirement for a fifth-generation stealth aircraft.
Furthermore, HAL will be responsible for the complex task of integrating the engine with the AMCA's stealth airframe and conducting rigorous testing to validate its performance and reliability.
This collaboration with Safran, a global leader in engine technology, also represents a major opportunity for India to absorb cutting-edge defence technologies.
Through this partnership, HAL will gain invaluable expertise in next-generation systems such as Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) for optimised performance, thrust-vectoring nozzles for superior maneuverability, and advanced designs for reducing the engine's heat signature to enhance stealth.
This transfer of knowledge is critical for strengthening India’s domestic defence industrial base and will serve as a foundation for designing entirely indigenous jet engines in the future.
