L&T Pitches Indigenous 110kN Jet Engine for Tejas Mk2 and AMCA, Urges Merit-Driven Defence Procurement
In a bold and forward-looking move, Indian engineering giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has proposed the development of a fully indigenous 110 kilonewton (kN) thrust jet engine to power the next generation of Indian fighter aircraft — the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The proposal, if greenlit, could mark a watershed moment for India's defence manufacturing capabilities.
Jayant Damodar Patil, who leads L&T’s aerospace and defence operations, outlined the company’s vision to drive this high-tech engine program in collaboration with other leading private sector firms. The thrust class being targeted — 110kN — is necessary for powering medium-weight and stealth fighters, making it a critical need for India’s future air combat roadmap.
Crucially, Patil has made a strong pitch for a shift in how such defence programs are awarded. He urged the government to move beyond the long-followed "L1 syndrome," where contracts are given to the lowest bidder, regardless of capability. Instead, he advocates for a merit-based approach that rewards technical excellence, innovation, and proven capability. This, he believes, will be vital to attract serious industry players and ensure the success of the complex engine development mission.
Learning from the Kaveri Experience
The Kaveri engine, developed by the DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), was India's first attempt to build a fighter jet engine. Despite decades of effort and a budget of over ₹2,000 crore, the engine failed to meet the required thrust levels for Tejas Mk1, which ultimately led India to adopt General Electric’s F404 engines for operational use.
However, as Patil pointed out, the Kaveri project wasn’t a total loss. It laid important groundwork in key technologies like metallurgy, turbine blade design, and compressor systems. These learnings, he said, will serve as a springboard for the proposed 110kN engine — only this time with a broader ecosystem of public-private collaboration.
A National Mission in the Making
The proposed engine would not only meet the needs of the Tejas Mk2 but is also expected to be the heart of the AMCA — India’s indigenous stealth fighter under development. These platforms are key to the Indian Air Force's future force structure and strategic deterrence capability.
Unlike the Kaveri, which was developed largely by GTRE in isolation, L&T is suggesting a consortium model. This could bring together the best of Indian industry — including firms like Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Aerospace, and Godrej Aerospace — to pool talent, infrastructure, and financial muscle.
Such a collaborative model also aligns with global best practices, where complex aerospace programs often rely on multi-agency participation rather than placing the entire burden on a single organisation.
Financial and Technological Hurdles
Creating a 110kN jet engine is an enormously complex and resource-intensive project. Industry estimates suggest it may require investments in the range of ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 crore, and a timeline stretching 10 to 15 years. That would put an engine prototype in place around 2035 — just in time for AMCA’s production phase.
One of the major technical challenges is mastering the ‘hot section’ of the engine — the part that operates under extreme temperatures and pressures. This involves sophisticated materials like single-crystal turbine blades and advanced cooling techniques. Though India has gained some expertise through the development of a dry (non-afterburning) Kaveri variant — now earmarked for unmanned combat drones like Ghatak — more advanced know-how is still needed.
There may also be a requirement for strategic foreign partnerships for critical subsystems, echoing earlier talks with France’s Safran for potential collaboration on the Kaveri program.
Strategic and Policy Alignment
The timing of L&T’s proposal is significant. India’s 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) policy places strong emphasis on developing indigenous defence capabilities. A successful engine program would not only reduce dependence on foreign suppliers but also provide India with strategic autonomy in aerospace propulsion — a technology currently mastered by only a handful of nations.
The DRDO is also pursuing next-generation engine development, suggesting alignment at the national level. Whether L&T’s specific proposal receives formal backing remains to be seen, but it certainly fits within the broader policy thrust.
Final Word
L&T’s proposal represents not just an engineering challenge, but a test of India’s defence industrial vision. If the government embraces a merit-based approach, supports public-private collaboration, and ensures sustained funding, India could finally cross the threshold into jet engine self-reliance — a goal that has remained elusive for decades.
A homegrown 110kN engine could power more than just aircraft. It could power a new era of technological independence, industrial growth, and strategic confidence for India’s defence sector.
