Safran-GTRE's 110kN Engine for AMCA Will Be Entirely New Design, Not Based on Rafale's M88, GTRE to Retain IPR Ownership

In an exclusive revelation, a senior official from Safran, the French aerospace giant, has confirmed that the upcoming 110kN thrust engine, a collaborative effort with India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, will boast a completely new core design. This new engine will be distinct from the M-88 engines currently powering the Rafale jets.

The Safran official emphasized that the 110kN engine will not share any core components or technology from the M-88. It is being designed from the ground up to specifically meet the unique requirements of the AMCA, underscoring a significant commitment to innovation and ensuring the engine is perfectly tailored to India's 5th-generation fighter jet program.

Addressing the integration of cutting-edge technology, the official revealed that the engine would incorporate some of the advanced technologies that GTRE is keen on exploring, technologies that are also anticipated in 6th-generation aircraft programs. This includes advancements in materials science, propulsion efficiency, and potentially in engine control systems, all aimed at pushing the boundaries of current jet engine capabilities.

Crucially, the Safran representative confirmed that the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for the new engine will remain with GTRE. This is a significant step towards India's push for self-reliance in defence technology. Additionally, there will be no export restrictions on the engine, providing India with strategic flexibility in defence exports and future development.

Looking ahead, the Safran official anticipates that GTRE's production partner will receive orders for over 1,000 engines over the coming decades. This substantial number not only reflects the projected needs of the AMCA program but also hints at the engine's potential integration into other Indian fighter jet programs, suggesting a versatile and scalable design.

This partnership between Safran and GTRE holds immense promise for the AMCA program and for India's defence industry as a whole. It showcases India's growing capabilities in developing sophisticated, indigenous aerospace solutions and positions the nation as a key player in the global defence market.

 

[Sudha]

Agree. Are we being blindsided or was it always there but we were just not reading the print? Suspicious authenticity.

You think safran is HAL to give false hope?

 

[Sudha]

Why is everyone so sceptical of Safran? Am I missing something?

Most of them want to sound smart by being cynical. 😂

 

[prasant kumar shaarma]

If Bharat has to do a partnership with foriegn OEM, it should be with P&W.

Only if P&W agree with it.

 

[UKumar]

Somehow I am worried about French intentions, why the Helicopters like Dhruv is falling from sky? 23 crashes in its life time and some how HAL want to keep under wrap, is it due to shakthi engine made with the help of French?

 

[Raja Raja Cholan]

If this is indeed a reliable news I think this is a great proposition from Safran. Should have more detailed discussions and confirmation from Safran to move forward. The most important thing is hopefully it will drag on indefinitely.

 

[AK S]

You think safran is HAL to give false hope?

French propagandist.

BTW, we burnt our fingers with Safran in Rafale offsets. Hopefully we will be cautious.

Let’s not talk about Mirage upgrade, we burnt our whole body.

 

[AK S]

Nice, with IPR with GTRE plus export rights and further modification with strategic flexibility, Safran suits well as a partner as multiple platforms are concerned, from AMCA, TEDBF, Tejas Mk2, and Rafale (36 Rafale + 26 Rafale M + 114 under MRFA). AMCA, TEDBF & Rafale being twin-engine, the requirement number may exceed beyond 3000 engines for the production partner of GTRE.

Nice, with IPR with GTRE plus export rights and further modification with strategic flexibility, Safran suits well as a partner as multiple platforms are concerned

 

[AK S]

No need. Bharat should enhance and use Kaberi engines. It's already testing in Russia with flying colors.

That will lot of time and even with requisite investments, jet propulsion tech is full of technical uncertainties. Indigenous clean slate design is very risky. Codevelopment is costly but a safer approach.

 

[AK S]

One knows US is unreliable. Want to depend on US? Think about F404.

French are more reliable than the US. But they are at least a generation behind in tech. But still half to one generation ahead of Russian tech Let’s see.

 

[Sudha]

Somehow I am worried about French intentions, why the Helicopters like Dhruv is falling from sky? 23 crashes in its life time and some how HAL want to keep under wrap, is it due to shakthi engine made with the help of French?

If it was the engines HAL would have come out & hollered that it was a engine problem so as to shift blame on others. They just did a sloppy work on the helos due to which the crashes happened.

 

[AK S]

Only if P&W agree with it.

So true.

We are happy with local manufacturing of GE F414 with substantial manufacturing tech transfer. We would not the whys, but still better than whatever tech transfer received so far.

 

[Rajesh]

I am sure our IAF technical team is involved right from the onset along with our scientists from DRDO and GTRE. I suggest to involve brilliant young innovative brains from IIT and other premier institutions along with unobstructed funds from the government. Then sure we can see not only brilliant results but technology of the future being developed. In the meanwhile government should create the manufacturing capability simultaneously so that we get a deliverable product at the shortest time if we want to remain ahead of competition and capability.

 

[AK S]

Why not you contribute instead of commenting fictions? You have the tech for aero engines?

It’s not fiction. French engines are generation behind and lot of money will be needed to perfect the engine needed for 5th gen fighters.

GE has the tech so it need not reinvent it with Indian money and won’t share it with India. So realistically French is the best option we got.

 

[AK S]

Their engine technology very poor quality. That is why ALH is being grounded regularly.

I don’t think it’s grounded because of the engine. Let’s not blame French where it’s not due.

 

[AK S]

"In collaboration" means both have to contribute, not a one way street. Every contract has timelines except with HAL. Safran is definitely not HAL 🤣

HAL doesn’t make engines. So at least read some more.

Second, HAL has done much better than it’s counterpart Dassault. Dassault took 5 years and over $1.5b (about 7 years back and just the cost of modifications), to deliver 1st Rafale with all of India Specific Enhancements. Well HAL is ready next version of Tejas in 3 years and they are delivering more 36 fully built Tejas in less than $1.5B. So let’s not compare.

 

[AK S]

Everyone including you are interested in money. We want hi-tech without doing R&D or lack of knowhow, then we have to pay. There are no free meals except for kids in Bharat.

So who is talking about free lunches. We are actually talking about paying through nose for the French tech. We haven’t forgotten Mirage upgrades and Safran offset commitments in Rafale deal.

 

[AK S]

Most of them want to sound smart by being cynical. 😂

French propaganda. We are being cautious. We had very biter experiences in Rafale offset commitments and Mirage upgrades.

 

[SivaBalan Kumaravel]

Do GTRE really have the capability to be part of such a complex program?