India to build indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet engines, joins hands with THIS country for…, name is…
India has taken a major step forward in its ambitious 5th Generation fighter jet program – Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA). Sharing a post on X(previously Twitter), Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced a landmark collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran to jointly develop a next-generation 120 KN engine, a move that will give the Indian Air Force unmatched aerial dominance. This engine will give the Indian Air Force “hyper power”. Equipped with this engine, AMCA is referred to as the king of the skies.
Which country is India partnering with to develop 5th-generation fighter jet engines?
Conversation about this project had been ongoing for quite a while, with global giants including Rolls-Royce (UK) and GE (US) also. However, India has finally decided to partner with Safran. So, the first AMCA units will fly with the GE-414 engine, but the upgraded one, Mk-2, is to use Safran’s 120 KN engine, reported News18 Hindi.
Sharing a post on X(earlier Twitter), Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated, “Today, we have also taken steps forward in the direction of building Fifth Generation fighter aircraft. We have also moved towards manufacturing the aircraft’s engine in India itself. We are about to start engine manufacturing work in India with the French company Safran.”
What makes the new AMCA engine a game-changer?
According to the News18 report, the first fleet of AMCA jets will reportedly use the GE-414 engine during its first flight. However, the Indian Air Force wants greater thrust for the future. And this is where Safran comes in. Under a confidential contract between India and France, Safran will develop a next-generation 120 KN engine over the next 10 years, followed by large-scale production.
What role does the India-France Horizon 2047 partnership play in this deal?
This engine program is a component of the India-France Horizon 2047 strategic partnership. Importantly, 2026 will be dedicated as the “Innovation Year” by both countries. In this context, the deal is, therefore, not just an enhancement to military capacity but also a benchmark in technology and diplomacy.
According to sources, Safran’s deal with India is not limited to building just one engine. The company has proposed to create an entire aircraft engine ecosystem in India, which means that in the future, multiple types of aircraft engines will be manufactured and researched within the country itself. This could be a historic move in making India self-reliant in aero engine technology.
Safran is already expanding its presence in India by establishing a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) center in Hyderabad for the M88 engines of the Rafale fighter jets. This will likely be the first center of its kind in the world outside France and will be engaged in repairs of M88 engine modules. The establishment of the MRO in India will no doubt have benefits in terms of high-end technology development and job creation.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- India has finally decided to partner with Safran
- Safran is already increasing its footprint in India by constructing a Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul (MRO) center in Hyderabad.
- This engine program is a component of the India-France Horizon 2047 strategic partnership.
- Safran will develop a next-generation 120 KN engine over the next 10 years.
Defense analysts are confident that Safran’s engine will provide the AMCA Mk-2 with “super power.” With 120 KN of thrust, this fighter jet will literally provide a capability to outmatch any opponent. For India, this agreement brings the country’s indigenous dream one step closer: an indigenous fighter jet combined with an indigenous engine, and one of the most powerful air forces in the world.
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