New Delhi: India is set to invest over Rs 65,400 crore by 2035 to develop and produce advanced fighter jet engines as part of its drive toward self-reliance in defence technology. The investment marks a major step in strengthening the country’s aerospace capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign suppliers in critical propulsion systems.
The plan includes manufacturing around 1,100 engines to power current and future fighter aircraft projects that are in various stages of development. The initiative focuses on creating a robust ecosystem for indigenous engine production, complete with essential infrastructure such as high-altitude testing facilities and a strong industrial base to support research and manufacturing.
The engine requirement spans several major programmes, including the Tejas Mk-1A and the upgraded Tejas Mk-2 Medium Weight Fighter, which will replace legacy aircraft like the Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29. Another key project is the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, which will rely on high-thrust, twin engines to achieve superior performance.
India is pursuing a dual-track strategy to meet these needs. On one hand, it is advancing domestic production through collaborations with international partners. Talks are progressing with the US-based General Electric for joint production of the F414 engines that will power the Tejas Mk-2, ensuring a significant transfer of technology. At the same time, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working with France’s Safran to co-develop a powerful 110-kilonewton-class engine for the AMCA project, aiming for greater indigenous content.
This large-scale investment is expected to transform India’s defence manufacturing landscape, ensuring a secure supply chain and long-term operational readiness for the Indian Air Force. By overcoming past limitations faced in the Kaveri engine programme, the initiative aims to place India among the select group of nations capable of independently developing and producing high-performance fighter jet engines.
