Safran Leads Race to Partner with India on 6th Gen Engine for AMCA Project, Rolls-Royce and GE Also Contend, 100% ToT Key

India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is gaining momentum with the anticipated finalization of a contract for the joint development of a 6th generation jet engine.

While French aerospace giant Safran appears to be the frontrunner in this high-stakes collaboration, Rolls-Royce from the UK and General Electric (GE) from the US remain strong contenders.

This collaborative project is estimated to cost around $5 billion, a significant investment that will not only fund the engine's development but also establish a local production line in India. The funds will be used to create prototypes and support extensive ground and in-flight testing, ensuring the engine meets the demanding requirements of modern combat aircraft.

The ambitious timeline aims to have the engine ready for production by 2032-33. Before that, three engines will be specifically developed for rigorous ground testing to identify and resolve any technical issues before proceeding to in-flight testing.

A crucial aspect of this partnership is the commitment to 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT) and the establishment of production facilities within India. This ensures that every component of the engine can be manufactured locally, aligning with India's "Make in India" initiative and its pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology.

While specific details remain confidential, the engine is expected to incorporate cutting-edge technologies, potentially including variable cycle capabilities. This would allow for optimal performance across different flight regimes, from subsonic to supersonic speeds, and enhance fuel efficiency.

Safran's potential selection as the partner for this project highlights the growing defence cooperation between India and France. However, with Rolls-Royce and GE also in contention, the final decision will likely depend on various factors, including technological capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and the level of commitment to technology transfer and local production.

The development of a 6th generation engine for the AMCA is a crucial step towards India's goal of fielding a truly indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft. This project not only strengthens India's defence capabilities but also positions it as a key player in the global aerospace industry.

 

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[sanket]

That's very good news. AMCA is called 5.5 gen, and one of the reasons will be the engine. While Safran may have to invest at least 20% of 40,000 crore if they want to co-develop the engine, it mostly depends on the work-share agreement. Meanwhile, the RR offer is just as a consultant, and Bharat has to fund the entire amount. In the RR offer, I think the project is between 15,000 cr to 20,000 cr. GE should be kept out of this project; otherwise, AMCA will face delays similar to Tejas MK1A.

 

[venkat]

Keep hearing of this deal for so many years.

 

[Kailash]

That's very good news. AMCA is called 5.5 gen, and one of the reasons will be the engine. While Safran may have to invest at least 20% of 40,000 crore if they want to co-develop the engine, it mostly depends on the work-share agreement. Meanwhile, the RR offer is just as a consultant, and Bharat has to fund the entire amount. In the RR offer, I think the project is between 15,000 cr to 20,000 cr. GE should be kept out of this project; otherwise, AMCA will face delays similar to Tejas MK1A.

Question is whether the french have the required capability to do it. Even what constitutes 6th gen is quite open to discussion.

 

[Kailash]

Just another hogwash. French tech a gen behind the Americans, who themselves dont have a working 6th gen engine - at least not something acknowledged publicly.

 

[Anant]

Wasn't this supposed to be a fifth-generation-esque engine? Or have the folks at one of these foreign OEMs allowed themselves to be convinced to share cutting-edge technology that they themselves are developing as of today?

Proofread the articles, please.

 

[jayesh patel]

When will government understand that foreign power are not gonna give engine

 

[Ayush raj]

Question is whether the french have the required capability to do it. Even what constitutes 6th gen is quite open to discussion.

Even if we don't get 6th gen engine then 5th gen is also good the main thing is we will have full know how to make a engine and once we have mastered it then scaling it to 6th gen would not be very difficult. And the requiremnets for any sixth gen fighter jet and engine are still not clear as to which tyoe of aircraft should be considered 6th gen so we should wait. Like missile tech if we can master engine then we can easily make any engine with any specifications like we make any missiles within just 2-3 years this all happened becz we started integrated missiles development programme back in 80s and we are getting its benefits and fruits 30 years latter. That's why in defence tye investment is over very long period it doesn't show in just 5 or 10 years

 

[Leo red]

So we will produce 5 gen engine which is not even made by that company and not tested too. Neither they have any blue print of it.

 

[Ayush raj]

Wasn't this supposed to be a fifth-generation-esque engine? Or have the folks at one of these foreign OEMs allowed themselves to be convinced to share cutting-edge technology that they themselves are developing as of today?

Proofread the articles, please.

The problem with europe is their small economy and hence less budgets for production,research and manufacturing. To design and produce eurofighter many nation joined hands so that everything can be shared among groups so that each party will have to bear less cost. Due to this no one in europe tried to make 5th gen they all acquired F-35 as making one would be more expensive than purchasing . Similarly 6th gen tempest programme is also a group project. That is why they are inviting india so that one more nation with some money can provide necessary assistance if not in techs then in money. So it will be not surprising if Saffran would be making high tech engine with india due to hevy investment which they might not be able to afford but since india is in desperate need of engine then spending 5-10 billion dollars is not a big deal for us if we can get a fully working advance engine with know how

 

[sanket]

Question is whether the french have the required capability to do it. Even what constitutes 6th gen is quite open to discussion.

The French already have the FCAS project. Second, Safran alone developed the M-88 engine. Rafale has been developed by a single nation, unlike the Eurofighter project, which involved several stakeholders. The M-88 is a marvel; the French have all the keys to develop a 6th-gen hot core. The remaining will be developed by GTRE. That's why the US has shortcomings in the F-35, which is not even a true 5th-gen fighter, but some fanboys call it a 5th-gen fighter. But in reality, it's a 4.75-gen fighter.

 

[P.K Senapati]

Engine technologies are very important in Futuer Combat Aircraft Programs.
Choose a reliable partner for joint development and technology sharing.
It can be Russia France UK or South korea.

 

[Rick Golder]

So we will produce 5 gen engine which is not even made by that company and not tested too. Neither they have any blue print of it.

They are the best option since they themselves want a 5+ gen engine. Taking it from GE would be a no-no, given how recent engine delays and other things are affecting us in many ways.

 

[Scronkfinkle]

Only 5 billion USD? Come on, are we building an adaptive cycle engine or a 1970s turbofan? You will make only one prototype, 1 TD, 1 IOC, and 1 FOC engine, all in the first try, by the amazing Brady Bunch (GTRE), who have been at it for 35 years and could not even copy the old RR jet engine whose blueprint we bought completely 30 years ago. This will surely win the world air castle competition for conjuring up unparalleled complexity.