GTRE Nearing Finalization of Foreign Partner for AMCA 110kN Engine Co-Development

Defense News ,India :-  India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is getting closer to securing a big partnership for its engines, a key step toward making the country's 5th-generation fighter jet dreams a reality.

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of DRDO, which is in charge of developing engines, is actively looking to team up with a foreign engine maker.

They aim to finalize this partnership by mid-2024, setting the stage for a contract later this year or early next. This partnership is crucial for making a powerful new engine capable of producing 110-130kN of thrust for the AMCA MkII variant.

Big names in engine manufacturing like Rolls-Royce, Safran, and GE could potentially be partners in this project. The engine they choose will be used to power the AMCA MkII, planned for production after 2035.

To keep the AMCA program on track, the first prototype and 40 initial units of AMCA MkI will use the GE-F414 engine, which has already been proven.

Experts say the engine developed through this partnership could be used in many ways. Apart from the AMCA, it might also be used in the Indian Navy's TEDBF program, a fighter jet for aircraft carriers, and upgraded Tejas MkII jets in the mid-2040s.

This progress shows India's commitment to improving its own defense capabilities and relying less on foreign imports.

A successful partnership for the engine would be a big step forward for the AMCA program and strengthen India's position as a growing power in aerospace.