India's Ambitious Plan to Build 500 Fighter Jets: Tejas, AMCA, and TEDBF in the Next Two Decades Confronts Engine Hurdles
India has set its sights on an ambitious plan to enhance its air force capabilities by building nearly 500 advanced fighter jets over the next two decades. This extensive manufacturing program—comprising 288 Tejas fighters, 126 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and 100 Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighters (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy—aims to fill critical gaps in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet while establishing India as a strong force in regional air power. However, a significant issue is casting a shadow over this massive undertaking: securing a steady and reliable engine supply.
The IAF currently maintains 31 fighter squadrons but falls short of its ideal goal of 42 squadrons to face potential challenges from Pakistan and China. With an aging fleet—including jets like the MiG-21, Jaguar, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000—scheduled for retirement over the next several years, the IAF is racing against time to secure replacements that will ensure India’s defense preparedness and modernization goals.
At the forefront of India’s fighter jet initiative is the Tejas series, designed to fulfill both light combat and multi-role capabilities. The project involves 180 units of the Tejas Mark-1A and 108 of the more advanced Tejas Mark-2, set to gradually replace older aircraft like the MiG-21. The Tejas program has gained international attention for its design, but it’s facing serious setbacks related to engine procurement. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defense company responsible for Tejas production, signed a $716 million contract with US-based General Electric (GE) in 2021 to supply the F414 engines required for the Mark-1A models. Unfortunately, delivery delays have held up production, leaving the IAF waiting for their first Tejas Mark-1A.
HAL is also gearing up to produce the AMCA, India's first indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter. Equipped with advanced stealth and supersonic cruising capabilities, the AMCA is expected to replace India’s MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 fighters, aiming to match the technological edge of similar aircraft operated by other major global air forces. Plans include the production of 126 AMCA units, but these advanced jets demand engines that can support the stealth features, higher thrust, and long-range capabilities required for fifth-generation fighters. In addition to GE, the Indian government is negotiating with Safran, a French aerospace company, for the AMCA’s engine supply, exploring options for a more flexible, multi-supplier approach.
The TEDBF project rounds out India’s ambitious plan, with the Indian Navy eyeing 100 of these twin-engine deck-based fighters to provide a modern, indigenous solution for its carrier fleet. Designed to be deployed on aircraft carriers, the TEDBF will need engines that can withstand the demands of maritime operations, which involve unique stress factors such as saltwater exposure, fluctuating temperatures, and rapid takeoff and landing cycles.
To reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and overcome delays, India is revisiting its efforts to build domestic engines. One of the most discussed projects is the Kaveri engine, developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Initially aimed at powering the Tejas, the Kaveri project was met with technical challenges, and although it hasn’t yet been used in production aircraft, there’s renewed interest in reviving it. A more advanced version, the Kaveri 2.0, is also being explored as a potential engine for the AMCA. Progress in these domestic programs would mark a major milestone for India’s aerospace industry, making it less reliant on foreign engines and helping to avoid future delays.
With the Tejas Mark-1A, Tejas Mark-2, AMCA, and TEDBF projects collectively supporting India’s broader defense goals, timely engine deliveries are essential for keeping production schedules on track. In the next two decades, India will face mounting pressure to deliver on its promises to modernize its air force, maintain air superiority, and ensure its strategic defense capability.
Whether India can overcome its engine supply challenges will be crucial for the success of this ambitious program. Achieving self-sufficiency in engine production and securing alternative supply options will play a central role in India’s journey toward military modernization and regional security.
