The Defence Ministry, according to reports, has recommended developing engines for the next-generation combat aircraft AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) in collaboration with France.

What We Know So Far
In December 2014, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) planned to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to six original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) by April 2015 for the co-development of an afterburning low-bypass turbofan engine in the 110 kN thrust class.

During the Winter Session of 2021, the government announced a proposal to jointly develop the AMCA engine with a foreign partner.

On July 15, 2023, India and France agreed to jointly develop a combat aircraft engine to power the AMCA Mk-2 variant, as part of the Horizon 2047 roadmap for the India-France strategic partnership.

On November 18, 2023, Dr. Samir V. Kamat of DRDO announced that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) would jointly manufacture the GE (General Electric) F414 engine in India for the LCA Tejas Mk-2 and the first two squadrons of AMCA, following U.S. approval for the required technology transfer.

In September 2024, three firms—GE, Safran, and Rolls-Royce—submitted joint venture proposals for AMCA engine development. By October 2024, Safran had reportedly emerged as the frontrunner.

As of July 11, 2025, the Cabinet directed the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to submit its evaluation report for selecting either Rolls-Royce (UK) or Safran (France) as the development partner.

In the past, India had worked on developing the Kaveri engine for the Tejas aircraft, but the project faced issues related to thrust and weight. The Kaveri engine is now being repurposed to power the Ghatak Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle (UCAV).

AMCA Engine
The AMCA engine project is a ₹61,000 crore initiative aimed at developing a 120 kN thrust class engine. India’s goal is to produce this engine domestically as part of its broader ambition to attain self-reliance in advanced defence technologies. At present, all Indian military aircraft operate with foreign-made engines, making indigenous engine development a strategic imperative.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been a strong proponent of this effort, highlighting its alignment with the "Make in India" and Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives. Success in this endeavour would place India among a select group of nations capable of designing and manufacturing not just fighter aircraft, but their most complex and critical component—the engine.

Recommendation by Defence Ministry & Expert Insight
Following extensive consultations, including input from stakeholders and a technical committee, the Defence Ministry recommended France as the preferred development partner. Safran's proposal was reportedly found to be more advantageous in terms of technology transfer, cost-effectiveness, and strategic value. Both Rolls-Royce and Safran had offered full technology transfer.

Saurav Jha, founder of Delhi Defence Review, noted:

“This collaboration has the potential to be a game changer. The system has always held the belief that a partnership with a pedigreed foreign vendor will be crucial for the development of next-generation jet engines for India. India will be able to use the test facilities that an already established manufacturer will have, and the French will benefit from India’s vast resources in both capital and manpower. To be sure, this will be an expensive project, but the cost of not pursuing such an endeavour will be far greater.  If India does not pursue such a course, its very strategic autonomy could be at stake in the coming decades. On the flip side, if the project is successful, India will be able to develop a whole family of engines from it, and there will be major economic benefits as well. Lastly India must not focus on just this programme alone. It would be advisable to pursue some entirely indigenous jet engine efforts as well.”

Conclusion: GE F414 and the Way Ahead
Presently India is negotiating with the United States to manufacture GE F414 engines domestically, which will power the LCA Tejas Mk-2 and the first two squadrons of the AMCA. However, the deal is still under negotiation, as India is seeking up to 80% technology transfer—including access to advanced technologies like thermal barrier coatings for the engine’s hot section, single-crystal turbine blades, and laser drilling techniques.

Looking ahead, both the GE F414 and the Safran co-developed engine are expected to power India’s future fighter fleet. With a projected requirement of around 250 next-generation engines, indigenous production is the only sustainable path. Such collaborations are vital for absorbing critical technologies and laying the foundation for fully self-reliant engine development in the future.

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.