There is a discussion that India will create its stealth fighter engine with France.
India is constantly moving towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in the field of defense. Changing strategies of war, modern technology and challenges of neighboring countries have made India realize that the future battle will be won not only by numbers, but by technology and innovation. This is the reason that India’s biggest dream is to create world-level stealth fighter jet and its indigenous engine.
But, the question arises that why India could not make its stealth fighter engine yet? Why is the deal with France important? Till now India has successfully developed which fighter jet programs? Will India really compete with legendary countries like America in future? Come, let’s understand in order.
Why India needs a stealth fighter engine?
Stealth Fighter is not the fourth generation (4th GEN), but even beyond that is the technique of the fifth and sixth generation (5th & 6th generation). Their biggest feature is that they do not get caught easily on the radar. America’s F-22 raptor and F-35 Lightning II, China’s J-20 and Russia’s SU-57 are the world’s major stealth fighters. India also needs this technology because China has already deployed stealth fighter jets like J-20. Pakistan can increase its strength by taking technology from China. India will have to maintain air lead in the Indian Ocean region.
Why India has not been able to make it till now?
The engine is the heart of any aircraft. Stealth fighter engines require extremely complex techniques. It needs a high thrust-to-weet ratio so that the aircraft can fly at high and height. Supercruz capacity is required, that is, flying at supersonic speed without after-border. Low heat signature is necessary so that even the infrared radar is not easily visible.
India has tried in this direction. The Cauvery engine project began in the 1980s. The goal was to create an engine for indigenous fighter aircraft (LCA Tejas). But there were technical flaws in it. It could not give necessary power and credibility, which we needed.
Many challenges also arose in this path. Difficulty in creating a durable alloy (alloys) on high-power. The complex structure of compressor and turbine blades as well as long time and investment on research and development. For this reason, Indian Air Force had to take foreign engine GE-404 (America) and GE-414 for Tejas.
Why is France necessary for India?
France has a company called Safran Aircraft Engines which makes the world’s best engine technology. India will get the benefit of “transfer of technology” from partnership with France. France has already given Rafale Jet to India and India-France Defense Partnership is very strong. France does not share American technology, but is willing to make a special partnership with India. The biggest advantage of this partnership will be that India will be able to achieve indigenous engines for its stealth fighter project like Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
What fighters have India made so far?
India has taken several steps towards making indigenous fighter jets.
- HF-24 Marut: India’s first indigenous jet fighter (1961) but at that time there was a shortage of high -capacity engines. In 1967 joined the Air Force. Even in the war of 1971, it attacked the enemy, but it could not achieve the super sonic speed due to the engine.
- LCA Tejas: Fully indigenous designs and manufactured by HAL. Extremely agile due to fighter capacity, modern avionics and small size. Has joined the Air Force and the Navy.
- Tejas Mk-2: The advanced version of Tejas is under construction with more payload and range.
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA): This will be India’s first 5th generation stealth fighter. Its technology will be successful only when India can make its indigenous engine.
Why will America get a shock?
Till now India has depended on the GE engine of America. Now he has joined France. As soon as India and France produce the engine joints, India’s dependence will decrease. The US wanted India to depend more and more on American technology, but India’s self -sufficient steps are going to be harmful for America’s weapon companies.
Donald Trump and PM Modi
How long will India make the stealth fighter jet engine?
If the deal between India and France is fixed in the next few months, then India’s indigenous engine can be ready in 710 years. According to defense experts, its trial can be seen in the AMCA project by 2032. That is, in the coming decade, India will be included in select countries that make stealth fighter engines on their own.
India also have challenges
India will have to pay attention to three things. R&D will have to emphasize. DRDO and HAL have to be given more funding and resources. Full technical information has to be obtained from a trusted partner like France. Private companies will also have to participate in defense production.
India has come a long way. 40 years ago, where we were also struggling to make the engine of our small fighter aircraft, today we are on the verge of creating the stealth fighter engine. With the French partnership, India has a historic opportunity to not only make its Air Force self -reliant but can also stand in equal to Russia, America and China.
By 2035, when India’s AMCA and indigenous engine will fly in the sky, then it will be a message to the world that India has become a superpower in technical point of view.
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