September 12, 2025

India is ready to roar with its own fighter jet engines, thanks to an exciting Indo-French partnership! The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and French aerospace leader Safran S.A. are teaming up to create a powerful 120 kilonewton (kN) jet engine. This engine will be the heart of India’s futuristic AMCA (Advanced Multi-Role Combat Aircraft) fifth-generation fighter jet. The project, energized by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day call for Make in India jet engines, aims to build nine prototypes over 12 years. Starting with a 120 kN engine, the goal is to crank it up to a 140 kN beast by the end of the project. Here’s the spicy bit: DRDO will get complete ownership of the engine’s intellectual property, including the super-advanced crystal blade technology. These blades are marvels made of single crystal super-alloys, making them tough and heat-resistant for thrilling jet speeds. Though DRDO had this technology before, applying it to a high-power jet engine has been a big challenge until now. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed at a recent conclave, "India will soon begin the indigenous development of its own fighter jet engines." It’s a dream come true for the Indian aerospace sector, with private giants like Tata, L&T, and Adani Defence lining up to build the AMCA jets domestically. Why is this so thrilling? Most world powers like the US, Russia, UK, and France design and build their fighter jet engines. China still depends on Russian engines or copies them. India once tried the Kaveri engine but couldn’t make it fly fully. Today, India imports engines from General Electric (GE) in the US, which shares only partial technology and comes with strings attached. Choosing France over the US as a partner is a smart move. France has been a trusted friend, never punishing India after the 1998 nuclear tests and supporting India’s missile guidance systems and Mirage jets. The 73 kN M-88 Snecma engine from France powers India's 36 Rafale fighters, paving the way for the next 114 jets with a new, stronger Indian-engineered heart. This powerful new engine will not just fuel the Air Force’s AMCA jets; it will also boost the Indian Navy’s carrier-based fighters. This means stronger battleships in the sky and sea, and less worry about foreign supply chains in tight times. In short, this jet engine project is a turbocharged leap for India’s defense and aerospace dreams. It’s 'Make in India' at full throttle, powering the country’s fighter jets for decades ahead, and promising a proud moment in self-reliance and power projection!

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Tags: India fighter jet engine, Drdo safran collaboration, Amca jet, Make in india defense, Jet engine ip transfer, Indian aerospace,