DRDO
India jet engine: India may soon approve a joint project between French company Safran SA and India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which comes under DRDO. Under this project, a jet engine with a capacity of 120 kilo Newton (KN) will be developed, which will power India's twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This move comes soon after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message from the Red Fort on Independence Day, in which he emphasized on indigenous jet engine development.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also indicated that India will soon take the ambitious step of developing engines for fighter aircraft. According to the information, Safran-GTRE will develop nine prototypes over a period of 12 years. Initially, engines with 120 KN power will be prepared, which will increase to 140 KN capacity over time.
The entire development of this jet engine will be done in India under Indian IPR. Safran will transfer 100% of its technology to DRDO, including the crystal blade technology. These blades are able to withstand high temperatures and pressure and are famous for their long life. DRDO has the basic knowledge of this technology, but shaping it for a high-power fighter aircraft engine is a new challenge.
The idea of joint engine development by Safran and DRDO was pending for the last two years. Recently, the Modi government directed DRDO to prepare a proposal, which is now likely to get approval at the highest level soon.
This 120-140 KN engine will power the twin engine Advanced Multi-Role Aircraft (AMCA). The aircraft will be developed and produced by the Indian private sector, which will include Tata Group, L&T and Adani Defence.
PM Modi has emphasised on indigenous aircraft engine development because it is a top technology in the defence sector that can also be used in civilian applications. Powers like the US, Russia, the UK and France have this capability. China still uses Russian or reverse engineered engines for its aircraft. India's first attempt was the Kaveri engine, but it was never completed.
Right now India sees France as a reliable partner. France did not impose any sanctions on India after the 1998 Pokhran Shakti tests and also continued to supply spare parts for the Mirage 2000 aircraft. The 36 Indian Rafale aircraft are being powered by 73 KN M-88 Snecma engines. Dassault will play an important role in the manufacture of 114 more aircraft in the future.
The Indian Navy will also get twin engine aircraft for its aircraft carriers. With this 120-140 KN engine India will be able to power its main fighter aircraft for decades and will not be dependent on any third country.
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