Opinion Why a Rolls-Royce Partnership Could Be India's Best Bet for a 6th Generation Jet Engine

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has expressed a keen interest in international collaboration to accelerate the development of its 6th generation jet engine.

This engine is not only intended to power the upcoming 5th generation AMCA fighter jet but also future 6th generation aircraft. Among the potential partners—Safran, Rolls-Royce, and GE—Rolls-Royce stands out as a particularly promising contender.

The Tempest Connection​

A significant factor in Rolls-Royce's favor is its active participation in the Team Tempest program, a dedicated initiative aimed at creating a 6th generation fighter jet. This involvement showcases Rolls-Royce's advanced research and expertise in 6th generation engine technology.

Next-Generation Features​

Rolls-Royce has publicly highlighted key features of the engine they are developing for Team Tempest, which align remarkably well with India's needs:

• Propulsion Design Integration: The engine will be fully integrated with the airframe, optimizing overall performance, range, and payload capacity. This translates to a more efficient and agile aircraft.
• Advanced Thermal Management: The engine will function as a heat sink, reusing thermal energy within the system. This eliminates the need for overboard venting, improving overall efficiency.
• Next-Gen Power Generation: The engine will offer increased electrical power generation capabilities, along with an intelligent power management system. This addresses the growing demand for onboard electrical systems in modern fighter jets.

The Case for Collaboration​

Given India's ambitions for a future-proof 6th generation engine, Rolls-Royce presents a compelling case. Their experience with the Tempest program and the cutting-edge features they've outlined position them as a leader in 6th generation engine technology.

While discussions are ongoing with all three potential partners, India's existing strategic partnership with Rolls-Royce through the Tempest program and their focus on 6th generation engine development make them a strong candidate for co-developing India's next-generation jet engine.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

 

[ramdas]

Consider participating in the Tempest Program. Instead of working in fragmented efforts, collaborative work is essential. The United States, with its F35 JSF, serves as a shining example. Not all resources are available to any single country, so there is a need to pool resources. It would be unwise to go about this individually.

 

[Vijay Anand]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

Unfortunately it wont be soon for sure 😥

 

[Sudha]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

Oh just think it will take a decade or two!

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Let's see how much they ask for.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

Around the time many countries start producing 7th gen jets.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Joint development always good in alll aspects.

 

[DNA57]

All three offers are attractive. India's decision should be based on clarity, authenticity and timeline of the offer.

 

[vinod nair]

i dont think they will deliver anything, they only need the money and by collobrating we r going to loose friends...

 

[wallisk]

AMCA MK1 TD1 1st flight will gets postponed again and again and again until 2040 year. So, better to just purchase off the shelf direct deliveries G2G deal of 90 nos. Rafale F4.2 jets at 18+ Billions usd total deal.. Also, signing in for RR Tempest program is a very good idea to garner high tech's faster...

 

[Varaaah]

All the foreign entities are very smart. They offer India some minor ToT on the one hand and with the gained money they pay Indians to sabotage Indian efforts and go for imports.

 

[sanket]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

Most likely by year End.Once IPR & Complete ToT issue is sort out DRDO may choose partner.Eco-system has to b developed in India . MRFA & Engine development project are having Right Demands who ever meets will b choosen.

 

[sanket]

Consider participating in the Tempest Program. Instead of working in fragmented efforts, collaborative work is essential. The United States, with its F35 JSF, serves as a shining example. Not all resources are available to any single country, so there is a need to pool resources. It would be unwise to go about this individually.

Difference is developmental cost & India want 100% componentsto manufactured in India with whole Eco-system development. AMCA cost is much more less than any other similar stealth /gen Fighte project.One of good example is Rafale Development cost of similar Fighter jet cost 10 Times for US . and even after Low R&D cost Frenceh manage to develop Master Piece.India is doing Right by going alone for AMCA.

 

[Akshat]

How does RR stand out? All 3 are involved with 6th gen engines. In fact, where RR stands out is that out of the 3, RR is the only one to have not developed an engine (fighter jet) entirely in its own in at least the last 4-5 decades.

 

[Akshat]

when will this decision be taken, is there a time frame, or a tender, RFP etc.?

As per certain statements the deal is expected to be signed this year. I think it was DRDO chairman who said he expects it to be signed this year.

 

[Sandeep]

This article is just a repeat news of something that has already been decided.

India signed a deal with France last year to develop a brand new 5th generation jet where India will receive 100% of the technology and get to make it all in India. The main benefit is that India will get to learn how to design it, what metallurgy is required and engineering involved. This will make us independent to develop our own engines in future.

Also to those people who don’t think a deal has been made then read the link below.

France's Safran and DRDO to jointly make combat aircraft engine

The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Safran and DRDO also decided to support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) programme with Safran...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[pallab hazarika]

Nothing will happen, seen these for decades, no AMCA till 2045 after that it will fly with F414 engines😂😂

 

[Singh]

This article is just a repeat news of something that has already been decided.

India signed a deal with France last year to develop a brand new 5th generation jet where India will receive 100% of the technology and get to make it all in India. The main benefit is that India will get to learn how to design it, what metallurgy is required and engineering involved. This will make us independent to develop our own engines in future.

Also to those people who don’t think a deal has been made then read the link below.

France's Safran and DRDO to jointly make combat aircraft engine

The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Safran and DRDO also decided to support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) programme with Safran...

economictimes.indiatimes.com

100% technology transfer is not the part of deal With Safran hence RR reapproached with proposition of 100% tech transfer

 

[Nvs rao]

Rolls-Royce one of the rich tech and years of experience in making aeronautical engines even many American flying machines having RR engines.
since longtime RR offering engine technology with I P rights and ToT, but Indian government kept silent. I think because of the deal of American loby which was delivered f404 engines without tot.
what is the interest of a government taking without tot or ip rights.
others offering the same. It shows the kick backs in the sarkari politicians and babus are deffenatly behind this.

 

[Girish Tyagi]

You can put British with America in to same basket before decision making

 

[Pramkumar]

is any one available apart from these 3 companies. ?

 

[Anant]

As per certain statements the deal is expected to be signed this year. I think it was DRDO chairman who said he expects it to be signed this year.

We should probably add 2-3 years to his estimates, in all honesty.

 

[Anant]

Difference is developmental cost & India want 100% componentsto manufactured in India with whole Eco-system development. AMCA cost is much more less than any other similar stealth /gen Fighte project.One of good example is Rafale Development cost of similar Fighter jet cost 10 Times for US . and even after Low R&D cost Frenceh manage to develop Master Piece.India is doing Right by going alone for AMCA.

Um, French R&D isn't much cheaper than American R&D. For instance, the developmental costs for the F-16 (all the way up to the F-16 Block 50/52 variants), adjusted to 2024 dollars, comes to around 60 billion USD. On the other hand, Rafale development (up to the Rafale F2 standard), again, adjusted to 2024 USD, came to around 54.5 billion USD.

Now, for a fair comparison, you'd have to factor in Rafale F3 development costs in as well, which I was unable to find. That said, though, it is more than likely that once added, the two aircraft would have had similar developmental costs.

 

[Paul]

I'm tired of these news stories. It seems like every other day, something is written, and people end up discussing all sorts of nonsense in the comments.

 

[Anant]

Rolls-Royce one of the rich tech and years of experience in making aeronautical engines even many American flying machines having RR engines.
since longtime RR offering engine technology with I P rights and ToT, but Indian government kept silent. I think because of the deal of American loby which was delivered f404 engines without tot.
what is the interest of a government taking without tot or ip rights.
others offering the same. It shows the kick backs in the sarkari politicians and babus are deffenatly behind this.

Um, Rolls Royce has not developed a fighter engine by itself for several decades. The last one they developed was the Turbo-Union RB199 (used on the Panavia Tornado), and that was in collaboration with MTU (Germany) and Aeritalia (Italy). Moreover, the RB199 debuted in 1971. The only other engine they kind of have had a hand in in recent times is the Eurojet EJ2000 engine (used on the Eurofighter Typhoon), and even that is based off a Rolls Royce technology demonstrator from the 1980s.

Don't get me wrong. Rolls Royce builds excellent engines for commercial aircraft, but you can't exactly use them in fighters. RR also builds marine engines.

So, no, RR was not offering any engines with ToT or IP rights (and where exactly did you get the idea that someone would just randomly offer IPR?) when the F404 was shortlisted for the Tejas Mk 1/2 programs. The other engine in contention was the EJ2000, and that was proving to be more expensive.

 

[Anant]

is any one available apart from these 3 companies. ?

I mean, if you are willing to wait until the 23rd century or something, just give it to GTRE. They'll probably manage it by then.

 

[Anant]

I'm tired of these news stories. It seems like every other day, something is written, and people end up discussing all sorts of nonsense in the comments.

Here is an idea: If you don't like it, ignore it and move on.

 

[Akshat]

We should probably add 2-3 years to his estimates, in all honesty.

Right now I think it’s pretty much confirmed that Safran is gonna win this one. So the delay is more likely to be in the negotiations, political constraints and maybe any delays from the DRDO in terms of technical aspects. And all of these have no fixed timeframe.

 

[sanket]

Um, French R&D isn't much cheaper than American R&D. For instance, the developmental costs for the F-16 (all the way up to the F-16 Block 50/52 variants), adjusted to 2024 dollars, comes to around 60 billion USD. On the other hand, Rafale development (up to the Rafale F2 standard), again, adjusted to 2024 USD, came to around 54.5 billion USD.

Now, for a fair comparison, you'd have to factor in Rafale F3 development costs in as well, which I was unable to find. That said, though, it is more than likely that once added, the two aircraft would have had similar developmental costs.

F-16 is single Engine Fighter Jet While Rafale is Twin Engine F-16 is 4+ Gen while Rafale is 4.5+ Gen weapon carrying capacity is more, weapon package is Huge difference it take 3 F-16 against one Rafale I havent mention Spectra E/W rest u understand Difference between Master Piece & one which was killed by Vintage MIG-21 in 2019 by India.