India's ambition to produce indigenous jet engines for its military aircraft has faced significant hurdles, preventing the nation from achieving complete self-reliance in defense. Despite decades of effort and investment, the country still relies heavily on foreign suppliers for these critical components. However, recent developments suggest a renewed push towards indigenization, with both technological advancements and strategic collaborations paving the way for a potential breakthrough.

Challenges and Setbacks

The journey towards developing a homegrown jet engine has been fraught with challenges. India's most notable attempt, the Kaveri engine project, began in 1986 with the aim of powering the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, the program faced numerous technical difficulties, including issues with thrust output, weight, and endurance. Advanced materials like single-crystal turbine blades and thermal barrier coatings, essential for high-performance engines, proved difficult to produce indigenously at the required quality and scale.

Moreover, the lack of adequate testing facilities and infrastructure hampered the development process. Testing often had to be conducted abroad, slowing down progress and innovation. Design iterations and the absence of validated design tools and tested material data also contributed to delays. Political and economic factors, including sanctions imposed after the 1998 Pokhran tests, further hindered the program.

Kaveri Engine: A Story of Lessons Learned

Despite its shortcomings, the Kaveri program has not been without its successes. It has provided valuable experience in turbine dynamics, metallurgy, and engine integration, laying a foundation for future endeavors. The program has resulted in a functional engine, a wealth of data, and invaluable experience at a relatively low cost. Technologies like single-crystal blades and blade-cooling have seen significant progress. As of 2025, a dry variant of the Kaveri engine is being developed to power the DRDO Ghatak, an unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

New Collaborations and Future Prospects

Recognizing the need for advanced technology and expertise, India is now pursuing deep partnerships with global jet engine leaders. A significant development in this direction is the collaboration with French aerospace major Safran to co-develop and manufacture a new, powerful jet engine for India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

This project, estimated to cost around $7 billion, involves 100% transfer of technology, enabling India to design, develop, test, and produce advanced 120-kilonewton engines. The collaboration with Safran includes critical technologies like single-crystal blades, thermal barrier coatings, and advanced combustors, ensuring India gains indigenous manufacturing and design capabilities. Safran will also set up a center of excellence in gas turbine technology in India, providing full design and metallurgical precision software tools.

A Phased Approach

Experts suggest a pragmatic, phased approach to achieving self-reliance in aero-engine technology. Instead of attempting a direct leap to the high-thrust engines required for the AMCA, prioritizing the development of a 90 kN engine to power the Tejas Mk2 is recommended. This "spiral development" model would allow India to build critical expertise and infrastructure while ensuring a more gradual and sustainable path towards mastering indigenous propulsion technology.

Strategic Implications

Achieving self-reliance in jet engine technology has significant implications for India's defense capabilities and strategic autonomy. It reduces dependence on foreign suppliers, mitigating the risk of sanctions or export restrictions. It also enhances India's ability to develop and deploy its own propulsion systems, strengthening its position in the global aerospace sector.

While India's jet engine program has faced numerous challenges, the recent collaboration with Safran and the renewed focus on indigenous development offer a promising path forward. By combining international collaboration with domestic innovation, India can bridge the technological gap and achieve its long-term goal of self-reliance in aerospace propulsion. The development of indigenous jet engines will not only power its aircraft but also propel its vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat in aerospace.