MoD May Unveil Key Foreign Partner for 110kN AMCA Engine Development at Aero India 2025; Safran, GE, and Rolls-Royce in Contention

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is anticipated to announce a crucial international collaboration at Aero India 2025, a biennial air show and aviation exhibition scheduled to be held in February 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station, Bengaluru.

This partnership will focus on the development of a powerful 110kN thrust engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet program.

Sources indicate that the MoD will likely reveal the chosen foreign partner, with a formal agreement expected later in the year.

This collaboration is a critical step in the AMCA's development, which received a significant boost last year with the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approving approximately ₹15,000 crores for its Phase-I development.

The engine program, however, is likely to have a separate funding approval from the CCS, underscoring its importance and complexity.

The 110kN engine is designed to be a core component of the AMCA, enabling supercruise capabilities – the ability to sustain supersonic speeds without using afterburners. This feature is a hallmark of advanced fighter aircraft, enhancing both range and combat effectiveness.

The selection of the foreign partner is of paramount importance as it will involve not only technology transfer but also joint research and development, ensuring that India gains access to cutting-edge propulsion technology while bolstering its own indigenous capabilities.

Leading contenders for the collaboration include global aerospace giants Safran (France), Rolls-Royce (UK), and General Electric (US).

The final decision will depend on several factors, including the terms of technology transfer, cost-effectiveness, and the overall strategic benefits the partnership offers for the AMCA program and future Indian aerospace endeavors.

The AMCA program is viewed as more than just the acquisition of a new fighter jet; it is seen as a catalyst for the growth of India's aerospace sector, driving innovation, creating high-skilled jobs, and advancing capabilities in aircraft design and production.

 

[sanket]

That will be very good news indeed. The long wait will be over. Mark my words, it will be a European company, & Safran would be the frontrunner. The same engine can be used in Rafale jets that Bharat has purchased & in future Rafale purchases too. Though GE has a good chance to win, as they already have a deal for the GE-404 engine, and second, under 80% ToT, it will have an ecosystem developed for GE-414. Even then, will GE grab this opportunity is a big question. GE can use GE-414 as a base to develop a 110 KN engine. This is a good opportunity, but IPR and export rights remain an issue for GE.

 

[Kirit Patel]

GOI is taking so long for Decision. We need to reduce Decision time for Faster Progress.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s obvious that Safran will be chosen as they offer a better deal as they will give us 100% of the technology and get to manufacture it in India with indigenous content or materials.

This will give us the advanced education and experience on how to design and develop an advanced 5th generation engine. It will teach us more about the science, engineering, metallurgy and mathematics that’s involved in developing such an advanced engine.

 

[vinod nair]

We can list multiple engine manufacturers simultaneously in different thrust output because we have a huge aeroplane requirement Both in defence and civilian. Since modern warfare will be hybrid we can't relay on critical tech on foreign entity such as aeroengine, microchips etc

 

[Senapati]

Purchase few GE414 engines for initial prototype.
Subsequently it should be replaced by our own joint venture 110kn engine with Safran as technology partner.

 

[Patriot24]

I would prefer that Safran be chosen as French technology is good and a 100% TOT is included and France as a country has never stabbed Bharat in the back.

I would steer clear of GE as they can be used as a political pawn to forward the Libtard, pro-terror, pro-cr!me agenda of the Democrats if they regain power in 2028. Same applies to Rolls-Royce..

 

[vinod sehgal]

GE is American also not reliable as this co. has shown with their supply attitude.

 

[Avada kedavra]

It’s obvious that Safran will be chosen as they offer a better deal as they will give us 100% of the technology and get to manufacture it in India with indigenous content or materials.

This will give us the advanced education and experience on how to design and develop an advanced 5th generation engine. It will teach us more about the science, engineering, metallurgy and mathematics that’s involved in developing such an advanced engine.

They didnt help out much during the kaveri engine development. They were called snechma then.
they just said replace the core with the m88 core.
effectively not giving the real solution

 

[subrat beura]

We should go with GE because others are not technically sound on high thrust engine technology.

 

[Sandeep]

They didnt help out much during the kaveri engine development. They were called snechma then.
they just said replace the core with the m88 core.
effectively not giving the real solution

Yes because they can only give what they know, developed and manufactured which gave them an engine. The core is the main section and our core wasn’t able to produce the amount of thrust that was required. So there’s no way that they could make our core produce more thrust as it reached it’s maximum limit.

 

[Krishnendu Chatterjee]

While GE will be highly unreliable partner, the best jet engine maker in the world is this company. Safran's best engine so far is M-88, which powers aircrafts like Rafale. It has modest output thrust. Rolls Royce is involved in designing the engine of 6th generation Tempest. So, RR can be a safe bet. American companies will definitely create trouble in future.

 

[Krishnendu Chatterjee]

GOI is taking so long for Decision. We need to reduce Decision time for Faster Progress.

Let them take their time. It is going to be highly expensive deal. In the past we entered into many bad deals in haste.

 

[nivas9531]

Hearing this topic since years but nothing happened. At Rishi sinak regime toldby international news agencies, Rollesrois offered engin tech with tot as joint venture, and Japan made versatile efficient engine and offer india which is very much capable for sukhoi-30 in future as stealth, and E U offered to participate in their new engine r&d tech, these are all news like this but any thing in the news never happens.
Another thing that where is raffale make in india production. Bjp government boasted heavily in media after taking fjs 36 only instead of 160 in the same money.
10 years passed every day media float a new news like this but nothing will happens
Even GE not honouring contract about f-404 engines, india running back to the same GE for Another deal for F-414 engines.
Made me laugh and sad

 

[Foxbat]

GE is inconsistent and unreliable partner. The Americans will use GE to sabotage and delay India's progress in aerospace industry. As for Safran they are not any better either bcoz they were reluctant to help by giving technical assistance and support to resolve struggling Indian engineers in Kaveri engines. Now the French buggers are showing interest bcoz of big money in AMCA engine project and most importantly vying for the big money 114 MRFA contract. Indian bureaucrats should not be making foolish decision by showing interest in insincere and money minded partner. Don't always stick to GE and Safran only explore various other options available. Why not talk to Pratt & Whitney, they too have the experience and expertise in manufacturing aircraft engines. Talk to Pratt & Whitney and negotiate their terms and conditions to see if it is a viable option. Don't always stick to GE and Safran as though there is no other trusted engine manufacturer in the market.