Under the ‘Make in India’ campaign, India is aggressively seeking alliances with the US, UK, and France to improve its domestic fighter aircraft capabilities. Discussions regarding fighter jet engines that are essential to the development of several aircraft, such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the TEJAS MK-2, are part of this endeavor.
These discussions take place as India looks to modernize its air force and increase its domestic defense industry.
India intends to acquire 114 multi-role fighter jets in addition to engine development to strengthen its Air Force fleet, which has been struggling because of dwindling squadron strength. This year, the government plans to release requests for proposals, requesting bids from international firms such as Rolls-Royce, Boeing, Dassault Aviation, and Lockheed Martin. This procurement procedure is essential because it seeks to support local manufacturing through alliances with international businesses while attending to urgent operational demands.
Several defense officials have laid out the schedules for the introduction of India’s cutting-edge fighter jets, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the TEJAS MK-2. By 2028–2029, the TEJAS MK-2 should be prepared for induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF). This timeline reflects significant progress in its development, with the prototype set to be unveiled by the end of 2025, and its first flight anticipated in early 2026.
Plans are in place to produce multiple squadrons of the TEJAS MK-2, with discussions about building new assembly lines to boost production rates. The goal is to potentially have six squadrons operational by around 2030.
The AMCA’s first flight is expected to occur approximately seven years from now, placing it around 2030-31.
India is in talks with the U.S. to co-produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. A deal was initially agreed upon in 2023.
A deal with GE Aerospace is expected by March 2025 for the co-production of GE-F414 INS6 engines, which will power the TEJAS MK-2 and the initial AMCA fighters. However, recent reports indicate that negotiations have encountered obstacles, with GE demanding $1.5 billion instead of the initially anticipated $1 billion for the deal.
Conversely, India is also considering acquiring F-35 fighter jets from the U.S., potentially mirroring the Rafale deal with France through a government-to-government agreement. Due to the high costs associated with acquisition and maintenance, India might opt for a limited number of F-35s. These jets could serve as an
India and France have been close strategic partners in the aerospace and defense industries. Since their engines power the Rafale fighter planes and hundreds of Indian military helicopters, French jet-engine manufacturer Safran has been at the forefront of collaboration.
Until domestic Twin Engine Deck Based Fighters are operational, the proposed purchase of French Rafale Marine aircraft was meant to serve as a stopgap.
India has been offered France’s fifth-generation fighter engine technology.
India’s desire to diversify its sources and support domestic defense industry is demonstrated by its pursuit of fighter jet engine technology from both the United States and France. India’s plans for the TEDBF, AMCA, and TEJAS MK-2 depend on the agreements with the United States and France.
The most important question is: who will win the race? Although both nations make strong offers, France may have an advantage in landing the turbofan jet engine contract with India due to its focus on technology transfer, improved engine performance, local manufacturing commitments, cost competitiveness, protection of a sanctions-free environment, and solid bilateral ties.
With the proposal to jointly develop a new jet engine especially for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, Rolls-Royce has offered India a substantial offer. Because of the “Clean-Slate” design included in this proposal, the engine will be created entirely from the ground up rather than using pre-existing models like the Eurojet EJ200. With this strategy, India may fully own its intellectual property (IP), giving it entire control over the engine’s development, manufacturing, and future improvements.
The engine promises improved performance and economy over current fifth-generation fighter engines and will be customized to meet the AMCA’s unique specifications. Rolls-Royce wants to have a fully functional engine in ten years, which is a lot quicker than most projects of this complexity take to create.
The full transfer of intellectual property rights is an essential
The deal gives India the ability to export the engine, which might lead to new sources of income and improve India’s standing in the international defense industry.
India’s fifth-generation fighter jet development might be accelerated by a fruitful collaboration, giving the country a tactical edge in the dynamics of regional air power. India’s objective of being self-sufficient in defense manufacture would be greatly aided by access to cutting-edge engine technology and IP transfer. By strengthening strategic relations between India and the UK, this project may promote greater cooperation in the fields of technology and defense.
However, there are obstacles in the way. India’s DRDO must carefully assess the substantial technological obstacles that come with developing a new engine in the allotted period. Such a project’s financial ramifications will necessitate careful evaluation and resource distribution from India.
