India is expected to soon approve a landmark joint project between French firm Safran S.A. and Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to collaboratively develop and produce a 120-kilonewton (kN) thrust-class jet engine. This engine is planned to power India’s twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter. This initiative aligns closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent Independence Day call for indigenous development of critical defence technologies, including jet engines.
The Safran-GTRE partnership aims to develop nine engine prototypes over a span of 12 years. Initially, the engines will deliver 120 kN of thrust, with plans to scale up to 140 kN toward the end of the development cycle. The project is slated to be executed entirely under Indian intellectual property rights, with Safran transferring 100% of its technology to DRDO.
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This includes advanced single-crystal blade technology, which involves manufacturing engine blades from super-alloys in a single crystal format — a design that greatly enhances durability and efficiency under extreme heat and stress. Although DRDO possesses foundational knowledge of this technology, adapting it for high-thrust fighter jet engines is recognised as a significant technical challenge.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Program
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program follows a clearly defined, multi-phase roadmap with detailed milestones aimed at delivering India’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter and establishing a robust indigenous aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.
The development began with the completion of the design work by 2023 and received formal project approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024, with an estimated ₹15,000 crore (approximately US$1.8 billion) budget allocated specifically for prototype development.
The AMCA execution model, approved by the Defence Ministry in mid-2025, has transitioned to an inclusive industry partnership approach allowing both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private sector companies to bid independently or as consortia for prototype development, testing, and production contracts.
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Prototype Development Phase (2024–2029)
Following the full-scale engineering development phase beginning in April 2024, five prototypes will be developed, each costing approximately ₹1,000 crore (US$120 million). The first prototype rollout is targeted between late 2026 and 2028, with successive prototypes at intervals of 8 to 9 months to meet developmental flight trial schedules. Earlier projections presented the first prototype rollout by 2028 or early 2029, with the first flight expected between late 2028 and 2029.
The initial three prototypes will conduct developmental flights focused on validating design, stealth, avionics, and systems integration, while the final two prototypes will concentrate on comprehensive weapons trials. Structural testing specimens critical for hardware-in-the-loop simulations are expected to be ready by 2027, forming the basis for risk reduction before actual flight tests.
Flight Testing And Certification (2028–2034)
Flight testing will begin with the prototype flights around 2029–2030, progressing through envelope expansion and system fine-tuning. Certification of the AMCA, encompassing both the MK-1 variant with General Electric F414 engines and the MK-2 with a more powerful, possibly indigenous engine, is scheduled for completion by 2032 to 2034. This includes extensive flight validation, weapon integration, stealth and electronic warfare system confirmations, and meeting Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy operational requirements.
Production Readiness And Series Production (2034–2035 Onwards)
The series production phase is slated for 2035, with HAL and private industry partners gearing up to establish production lines. The production run will initially emphasize indigenisation with over 70% domestic content expected, scaling up to about 85% in subsequent blocks. The IAF plans to induct 125 AMCA aircraft across seven squadrons, and there is also an exploration into a naval carrier variant for the Indian Navy.
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Technology Insertion And Incremental Capability Development
The AMCA development adopts a phased Block-1, Block-2, and Block-3 strategy focusing on incremental capability insertions to manage complexity without delaying initial deployments. The roadmap prioritises mission-critical systems first, such as stealth shaping, AESA radar, sensor fusion, and EW suites in Block-1, followed by enhancements like super-cruise and weapons bay optimization in subsequent Blocks. Future upgrades could explore emerging technologies such as laser weapons and AI-driven decision aids.
Structured timeline-roadmap of the GTRE–SAFRAN fighter jet engine program:
GTRE–SAFRAN Jet Engine Development Roadmap (Projected)
| Phase | Timeline | Key Activities | Output / Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Program Approval & MoU Signing | 2025–2026 | Government of India formally clears proposal at apex level; Safran–GTRE agreement signed with 100% ToT (including single-crystal blade tech) under Indian IPR. | Official launch of India’s first indigenous 120–140 KN fighter jet engine program. |
| Design & Technology Transfer Phase | 2026–2028 | Transfer of design know-how, materials science (super-alloys, SCB tech), and propulsion modelling; establishment of industrial ecosystem with Tata, L&T, Adani Defence. | Complete technical design baseline and digital mock-ups for 120 KN variant. |
| Prototype Fabrication (Initial Batch) | 2028–2030 | Manufacturing of ~3 prototype engines with 120 KN thrust; ground test rigs established in India. | First ground-based engine run under Indian IPR. |
| Testing & Iteration (Block-1) | 2030–2033 | Rig testing, full engine tests (high-altitude, endurance, thermal stress); refinements to turbine blades, cooling channels, and combustion chamber. | Demonstration of reliable 120 KN thrust system. |
| Prototype Series Expansion (Block-2) | 2033–2036 | Development of additional prototypes (total 9 projected); incremental improvements aimed at scaling to 130–140 KN thrust. | 2nd-gen prototypes with higher thrust-to-weight ratio and longer life. |
| Flight Testing & AMCA Integration | 2036–2038 | Engine installed on AMCA technology demonstrator and flying test-bed; carrier-trials for TEDBF version. | Certification for flight-worthiness of 120–130 KN version. |
| Final Qualification & Induction (Block-3) | 2038–2040 | Full operational qualification for 140 KN upgraded variant; naval and air force approval. | Entry into series production for AMCA Mk1 and TEDBF platforms. |
| Mass Production & Upgrades | Post-2040 | Production lines established with Indian private-sector; development of spinoff variants for future aircraft (AMCA Mk2, UCAVs, transport aircraft). | Indigenous, scalable engine family under complete Indian IPR. |
IDN (With Agency Inputs)
Agency
