New Delhi: The Ministry of Defense has recommended working with France in India to make the engines of the next generation fighter aircraft as part of a very big project that will bring modern technology to India and the country will become self-reliant.
A committee of technical experts also considered all aspects of making the engine of the fighter aircraft. After this it was decided that working together with France would be more beneficial for India. In this project worth Rs 61,000 crore, India and France will together make a 120 kilonewton (kN) fighter jet engine.
Which companies were considered?
According to the plan, these fighter jet engines will be used in future fighter aircraft, including Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The Defense Ministry had sought proposals from French company Safran and Britain’s Rolls Royce. Experts closely considered the technical aspects and cost of these proposals. France has said that it will provide the entire technology. Safran has also said that it can make engines for the AMCA by keeping pace with the times.
What is the number of engines required?
The current situation is that the first batch of AMCA may have to be fitted with GE 414 engines made in the USA. But, along with this, efforts to make engines in India will continue. There are very few countries in the world that have mastered this technology. It is estimated that India will need more than 250 next generation engines in the next 10 years.
Which country is supplying fighter jet engines to India?
Right now, all fighter aircraft in India have foreign engines. Because of this, a large part of the cost of the aircraft is spent on the engine and its maintenance. India had earlier tried to make its own engine named ‘Kaveri’ but it was not successful because the engine did not have sufficient power. Now a new version of the Kaveri engine is being made, which will be used in pilotless aircraft.
India is also talking to America to get the technology of GE 414 INS6 engine. This engine will be used in light fighter aircraft Mk2. The talks are not yet complete. India wants to get more than 80% of the technology, which includes technology for coating the hot part of the engine, crystal blades and laser drilling technology.