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In a significant boost to India's defence self-reliance goals, French aerospace giant Safran has proposed to co-develop a next-generation jet engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
The offer includes a 100% transfer of technology (ToT) to manufacture the engine entirely in India, promising to establish a complete domestic supply chain and end all foreign dependency for its components.
This landmark proposal, which follows initial talks with India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), could lead to a co-development pact valued at approximately $7 billion.
Such a deal would fundamentally reshape Indo-French defence cooperation and provide a powerful, indigenous engine for India's future fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Sources familiar with the negotiations report that Safran's blueprint is built on a fully localized supply chain. Every part of the high-performance engine, from its complex single-crystal turbine blades to its advanced digital engine control units, would be manufactured within India.
This commitment aims to empower Indian entities, including public-sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private players like Tata Advanced Systems or Godrej Aerospace.
This approach marks a clear departure from past collaborations, such as the Rafale's M88 engine, which retained some import dependencies. The new proposal aligns directly with the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) strategic push for sovereign manufacturing capabilities.
The AMCA, a twin-engine stealth fighter, requires a high-thrust powerplant to achieve its key performance goals, including supercruise (supersonic flight without an afterburner) and a combat radius of 1,500 km.
The interim General Electric F414 engine, which will power the initial AMCA Mk1 prototypes, lacks the 120-140kN thrust required for the final Mk2 version. Safran's proposed engine is designed to meet this demand, incorporating cutting-edge features like 3D thrust vectoring for superior maneuverability and advanced ceramic materials to withstand extreme temperatures.
This French proposal is one of several options India is evaluating to overcome the critical challenge of jet engine technology.
The AMCA program, managed by the DRDO's ADA, is India's most ambitious aviation project. While the American GE-F414 engine has been secured for the Tejas Mk2 and the initial AMCA prototypes, the deal with Safran, or a competitor like the UK's Rolls-Royce, is crucial for powering the definitive, more advanced AMCA Mk2.
The DRDO is expected to seek approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for this high-value project. The initial requirement is estimated at 400-600 engines for the AMCA Mk2 fleet, which is projected to enter service after 2030.
However, India's total long-term need is projected to be over 1,100 engines by 2035. This massive volume would also cover the requirements for the Navy's Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), which is being developed for India's aircraft carriers.
A full transfer of technology could create a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem, generate thousands of high-tech jobs, and dramatically reduce the lifecycle and maintenance costs of the fighter fleets.
While supporters have hailed the proposal as a "game-changer" that could bridge the technology gap from the indigenous Kaveri engine program, discussions are ongoing.
Initial talks with GTRE are reportedly focused on establishing a clear roadmap to validate the 100% local manufacturing plan, with initial tests potentially starting by 2027.
