In a landmark step for India’s defence sector, French aerospace major Safran S.A. and the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) are set to co-develop a 120 Kilo Newton (KN) jet engine for the country’s next-generation fighter aircraft. The project, which has been under discussion for two years, is expected to receive government approval shortly.
The engine will be built in India under Indian intellectual property rights, with Safran transferring 100% of the technology, including the critical single-crystal blade technology. These blades, made from advanced super-alloys, enable engines to withstand extreme heat and stress, ensuring higher efficiency and durability.
According to officials, Safran-GTRE will produce nine prototypes over a 12-year period. While the initial power output will be 120 KN, it is planned to increase to 140 KN during the development cycle. The engine will primarily power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a twin-engine stealth fighter being developed indigenously with the participation of private players such as Tata, L&T, and Adani Defence. The Indian Navy’s Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) will also benefit from this powerplant.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently confirmed that India is embarking on the critical task of developing its own fighter jet engines, a move strongly backed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister had emphasized the need for self-reliance in apex defence technologies, including jet engines, given their strategic importance and civilian spin-offs.
Currently, India relies on US firm GE for F-404 and F-414 engines, though the latter comes with only 70% technology transfer. By contrast, France’s commitment to a full transfer of technology makes the Safran-GTRE collaboration a game-changer. France has long been seen as a reliable defence partner, having continued support for India even after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, unlike many other Western nations.
The strategic implications of the project are significant. With the indigenous 120–140 KN engine, India will join an elite group of nations—the US, Russia, the UK, and France—that possess the capability to design and manufacture fighter jet engines. Notably, even China continues to depend on Russian engines or reverse-engineered variants for its frontline fighters.
This development comes against the backdrop of the Indian Air Force preparing for the AMCA and potential new fighter acquisitions, with Dassault Rafale also in contention for additional orders. Analysts say the new engine program will ensure that India is not dependent on foreign suppliers for propulsion technology, thereby strengthening its long-term airpower and strategic autonomy.
