India's AMCA Engine to Power Future 6th-Gen Fighter with Core Upgradable Design, Confirms GTRE

India’s defence aerospace journey has taken a major leap forward with a significant announcement from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). GTRE has confirmed that the 110kN thrust-class engine, being developed for India’s next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will feature a core architecture designed for future upgradability. This not only meets the immediate needs of the AMCA program but also opens the door for the development of more powerful engines in the 125kN to 145kN thrust range—potentially powering India’s future sixth-generation fighter aircraft.

The 110kN engine is critical to the AMCA program, which aims to produce India’s first indigenously developed fifth-generation stealth fighter. While initial prototypes will use the 98kN General Electric F414 engine, India’s long-term ambition is self-reliance, and the transition to an indigenous engine is a pivotal part of that vision. The GTRE’s goal is to have the 110kN engine ready by the early 2030s, just in time for AMCA’s production phase.

What makes this engine particularly forward-looking is its modular and scalable core. GTRE officials have emphasized that the architecture is being developed with “core upgradeability,” meaning the same engine foundation can be scaled up to produce significantly higher thrust—up to 145kN—if required. This design feature is a deliberate choice aimed at reducing development timelines and costs for future high-performance engines.

Such thrust levels would be necessary for a sixth-generation fighter jet, a project that India is expected to pursue as a long-term successor to its fleet of Su-30MKI aircraft. The Su-30MKI, which currently forms the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s combat fleet with over 260 in service, is expected to begin retiring around 2045–2050. While the "Super Sukhoi" upgrade program will extend their relevance well into the 2030s, a modern, stealthy, and more advanced replacement is essential to maintain future air superiority.

The sixth-generation aircraft envisioned by India would likely include advanced stealth features, artificial intelligence-enabled decision support, optional manning (pilotless capabilities), directed energy weapons, and advanced network-centric warfare capabilities. These features would demand a high-thrust, fuel-efficient, and thermally resilient engine—precisely the kind of propulsion system that GTRE is laying the groundwork for.

The development of a 145kN-class engine from the same family as the AMCA engine also offers logistical, technological, and industrial advantages. Leveraging a common engine core across multiple fighter platforms ensures easier maintenance, streamlined logistics, and reduced costs. It also boosts India’s defence industrial base, making the country less dependent on foreign suppliers for critical technologies.

This approach reflects a larger vision: building an ecosystem that not only serves the AMCA but forms the foundation for a generation of Indian-built fighter jets. With GTRE’s announcement, India is not just designing an engine—it’s investing in a scalable propulsion platform that could power the IAF’s combat aircraft fleet for decades to come.

In summary, the 110kN engine with its core upgradability is more than just a powerplant for the AMCA. It is a strategic move toward ensuring future preparedness, technological independence, and sustained capability development—signaling that India’s sixth-generation fighter ambitions are not just conceptual but already taking shape at the drawing board.