Safran Leads India's AMCA Engine Race with Full Technology Transfer Proposal

French aerospace giant Safran has emerged as a frontrunner in the competition to provide the engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.

The company has made a bold move by offering a complete technology transfer (ToT), including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), for the co-development of a new 6th generation engine specifically designed for the AMCA.

This proposal sets Safran apart from competitors like General Electric and Rolls-Royce, who have not offered such comprehensive ToT terms.

With 100% ToT, India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and its domestic partners will gain the expertise to manufacture the jet engine entirely within the country, fostering long-term self-reliance and the ability to modify and adapt the engine to future needs.

Safran's offer goes beyond existing engine models like the M-88 used in Rafale jets. The proposed engine aims to meet India's ambitious specifications, including 75kN of dry thrust and 110-130kN of wet thrust.

Such a powerful engine could not only power the AMCA MkII and potential 6th generation fighter jets but also be a future upgrade option for the Tejas MkII and Rafale.

This strategic move by Safran aims to establish a long-term partnership with India and position the company as a preferred supplier for future Indian fighter jet programs.

By enabling India to achieve self-reliance in jet engine technology, Safran is betting on a mutually beneficial relationship that could extend beyond the AMCA program.

While Safran's offer is undoubtedly enticing, India is expected to carefully evaluate proposals from all contenders before making a final decision. Factors like cost, engine performance, and the experience of each manufacturer will play a crucial role in the selection process.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

After all these years we have USA offering 80% and now suddenly safran jumps with a 100% offer.
But to make a new engine means we will be doing most of the funding to retain the ipr while also taking a risk of failure.
I would suggest to go ahead and test kaveri while using whatever knowledge we have gathered to make a new engine meanwhile go ahead with GE.

 

[Ravi]

Why not have 2 Kaveri engines in ine Tejas mk1a. The thrust should be enough ! Then test it and keep improving it !!

Are there no Indian Americans who were involved in manufacturing ge engines in USA. Show some patriotism towards your ancestral country !!

 

[kumar]

Just sign the agreement and start working on it. We can't keep delaying for years just to take a decision and then the entire program gets delayed and gets a bad name.

 

[Sandeep]

India has already made a deal with Safran to develop a brand new engine entirely where India will get 100% of the technology, IPR, local production and freely able to sell it without needing permission although India will most likely never do so.

No other company has offered the same type of deal. This is the best deal that India will ever get because we will have full access and knowledge on how to develop an advanced engine, the science involved, machinery, advanced testing etc. After that we won’t need another country’s help on how to develop jet engines again. We have a large requirement for these engines which can even reach up to 400 engines or more if we can use it to replace the Tejas MK2 F414 engine.

 

[DNA57]

France/Dassault/Safran track record in India is very well known to all citizens including Parliamentary CAG committee.
Hard to believe on their promises as their offsets are still unfulfilled according to CAG and some companies has been even imposed fines.

Remember France came forward only after USA offered 80% of TOT for GE F-414 engine and complete local manufacturing too. For a decade Dassault/Safran were playing sick games with Indian requirements of fighters and engines.

Completely new engine means India bears 100% cost, and its success and certainly its failures.
History is full of failure of fighter engines.

So my best recommendation is for India to join UK, Japan and Italy lead 6th generation fighter program and bear 1/4th of cost and get its 6th generation fighter and associated technology by 2035.
It is a much better option.

Yes, Your observations about France are true. Also the recommendation is feasible, cheaper and practical. India can surely think about it......there will be less scope of evasion/failure.

 

[Aloo]

And you think DRDO ever learns anything? 😂😂

And you think people belive your childish allegations like above after seeing how biased you are. 😂😂😂

You are endorsing France above for offset while everyone here knows they did not seamlessly in Rafale offsets.

 

[Sandeep]

Hold on just a minute. Just what exactly does whoever wrote this article mean by "the key differentiator is the 100% ToT, including IPR"?

Wasn't the entire idea of the partnership for the AMCA Mk II engine to get joint IPR and full ToT, which would allow us to develop our own engines from scratch and make modifications to these engines? If either of the three contenders there (RR, Safran, or GE) is not offering joint IPR and full ToT, then there is absolutely no point in that partnership. Absolutely nothing!

India has already made a deal with Safran to develop a brand new engine entirely where India will get 100% of the technology, IPR, local production and freely sell it without needing permission.

 

[Ravi]

If I had a Kodak film camera, will I replace it with a digital camera ! No, I will buy a smart phone which also has a good camera. There is no point in replacing fighter jets. Go for highly manoeuvrable missiles which can fly at varying speeds, has very little radar signature and hit the targets rather than fighter jets. More cost effective too!

 

[DNA57]

We have been very skeptical about US regarding its dealing with India ( with genuine reasons ) but in reality they are the one who first gave access to closely guarded technology ( for money or whatever). It has to be admitted.

 

[Akshat]

And you think people belive your childish allegations like above after seeing how biased you are. 😂😂😂

You are endorsing France above for offset while everyone here knows they did not seamlessly in Rafale offsets.

Well if people don’t know the facts then it’s not my job. Show me a single source that says that France didn’t meet their offset targets (after the deadline was passed).

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Its been lot of years since negotiations and talks are on. Emulate China and start a desi R&D programme for Military and civilian jet engines. Importing and Screwdriving are useful for short term in the long term true atmanirbharta will pay huge dividends.

 

[Fresh Water]

Take consultation instead on India's own jet engine. Say "no" to technology transfer.
Technology transfer for Russian jet engines assembled in India did not allow India to build its own technology.
End this dependency on others for technology.

Invest in building testing facilities, and pay scientists and engineers for research instead. Provide those facilities to the private sector companies. Invest in developing your own technology.
Break the tradition of fighting your wars on borrowed technology.

 

[Avesh]

Mark My word it will b European partner for AMCA Engine Development even if GE ready to Transfer 80% ToT for 414 Engine .

Along with Typhoon possibility.

 

[DNA57]

India has already made a deal with Safran to develop a brand new engine entirely where India will get 100% of the technology, IPR, local production and freely able to sell it without needing permission although India will most likely never do so.

No other company has offered the same type of deal. This is the best deal that India will ever get because we will have full access and knowledge on how to develop an advanced engine, the science involved, machinery, advanced testing etc. After that we won’t need another country’s help on how to develop jet engines again. We have a large requirement for these engines which can even reach up to 400 engines or more if we can use it to replace the Tejas MK2 F414 engine.

Has the deal about aircraft engine been really made ? There was no announcement/confirmation from any corner ! Confirmation came only for helicopter engine.

 

[ed]

Initially to get money they will say all. Then usung delaying tactics they trasfer tech two decades later.

It doesn't happen India is not foolish.China is dominating the world So India is the Equilizer

 

[Vineet Sharma]

And you think people belive your childish allegations like above after seeing how biased you are. 😂😂😂

You are endorsing France above for offset while everyone here knows they did not seamlessly in Rafale offsets.

Akshat, technology lies with people not with company... U need to choose deserving people with appropriate budget and ambitious goal to fulfill dream in R&D

 

[Neel Martin]

We have been very skeptical about US regarding its dealing with India ( with genuine reasons ) but in reality they are the one who first gave access to closely guarded technology ( for money or whatever). It has to be admitted.

gave access to closely guarded technology ..

Like what ?
Emals, F35 or the A4W

 

[Akshat]

Akshat, technology lies with people not with company... U need to choose deserving people with appropriate budget and ambitious goal to fulfill dream in R&D

People and budget are not the only thing. Incentives is what matter the most. DRDO simply has no reason to make it work.

 

[Vineet Sharma]

People and budget are not the only thing. Incentives is what matter the most. DRDO simply has no reason to make it work.

They need a push either positive or negative but development of jet engine has more to do with political will and administration support than skill of people

 

[Akshat]

They need a push either positive or negative but development of jet engine has more to do with political will and administration support than skill of people

I disagree. Any development has most to do with motivation. GoI has literally provided as much fund as GTRE asked for over the last many decades. What is lacking is motivation and a reason to develop. Why would anyone burn the midnight oil when they will get the same salary and fixed promotions whether the program is a success or a failure?