India is embarking on a significant step towards self-reliance in defense technology by collaborating with France to co-develop a new engine for its indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the partnership with French aerospace giant Safran, highlighting the strategic importance of reducing dependence on imported defense equipment.
This collaboration marks a major milestone in India's quest to develop indigenous defense capabilities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will soon seek approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security for this ambitious project with Safran. The project aims to jointly design, develop, test, qualify, certify, and produce new 120 kilonewton engines in India with 100% transfer of technology. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $7 billion.
India's inability to manufacture aero-engines with the required thrust-to-weight ratio has been a major impediment to its indigenous fighter jet programs. This partnership with Safran is expected to fill this critical capability gap and accelerate the development of indigenous fighter aircraft.
Safran, a global leader in aerospace propulsion, brings decades of expertise in developing advanced jet engines, including the M88 engine that powers the French Rafale fighter jet. The collaboration is expected to involve technology transfer, joint development, and local manufacturing of the AMCA's engine. This partnership builds upon an existing relationship, as Safran already supplies engines for India's Rafale fleet and has a presence in the country through joint ventures and maintenance facilities.
The new engine is likely to be a high-thrust, low-bypass turbofan designed to meet the AMCA's requirements for stealth, supercruise capability, and high maneuverability. While specific details of the engine's specifications remain undisclosed, the collaboration is expected to leverage Safran's cutting-edge technologies while fostering India's domestic aerospace ecosystem. The new engine, slated to be developed over the next 10 years, will power the second tranche of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The first set of AMCAs will be equipped with GE 414 engines.
The India-France plan is to create a new engine intended to be more powerful than any currently in use. Safran and the DRDO have prepared a roadmap for the project. Formal contract negotiations between India and France will commence soon for the engine's manufacture. Safran is also establishing a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for the Rafale's M88 engine in Hyderabad. This will be the first facility outside of France to maintain M88 modules.
The collaboration with Safran extends beyond the AMCA engine. The two companies have a joint venture for a new engine to be fitted in the under-development 13-tonne Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), which India is designing and plans to produce. This helicopter is expected to replace the Russian Mi-17 helicopters in the Indian Air Force fleet. A naval variant, the Deck-Based Multi-Role Helicopter (DBMRH), is also being designed. The IMRH is expected to be launched in 2027.
This partnership signifies the deepening strategic ties between India and France, with both nations committed to strengthening military cooperation, expanding defense technology collaboration, and enhancing joint exercises. In February 2025, India and France reaffirmed their commitment to these goals, outlining an ambitious roadmap focusing on joint production, technology transfer, and advanced military platforms. This collaboration in developing the AMCA engine is a testament to the growing strategic partnership and India's determination to achieve self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
