India’s Ministry of Defence has selected France’s Safran for a strategic partnership to co-develop a 120kN thrust-class jet engine for future Indian combat aircraft, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The proposed initiative, estimated to be worth INR 610 billion, includes a full technology transfer to support indigenous engine design and manufacturing.
The selection follows a technical evaluation by a high-level committee, which reviewed bids from multiple global engine manufacturers, including Rolls Royce. The committee concluded that Safran’s offer would provide greater long-term benefits for capability development in India.
The upcoming engine is intended to power future variants of the AMCA and other next-generation platforms. The initial production batch of the AMCA is expected to use GE F414 engines from the United States, until the co-developed engine becomes operational.
The collaboration is expected to significantly contribute to India’s long-term goal of establishing a domestic combat jet engine ecosystem. Full technology transfer has been cited as a key feature of the partnership proposal.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed support for building indigenous engine capabilities and has advocated for such collaborations to bolster India’s aerospace manufacturing sector.
Safran is a French aerospace and defence company engaged in the design and manufacture of aircraft propulsion systems, landing gear, avionics, and related aerospace components.
