French Safran and DRDO to Jointly Develop India’s First Indigenous Jet Engine
Safran-DRDO Partnership to Deliver India’s First Indigenous Jet Engine
India is on the brink of a major breakthrough in aerospace technology as French aerospace giant Safran S.A. and the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) prepare to co-develop the country’s first indigenous fighter jet engine.
The proposed collaboration, expected to receive government approval soon, will see the joint development of a 120-kilonewton (KN) engine capable of powering India’s upcoming twin-engine Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jets. This milestone comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day call for indigenous jet engine development.
100% Technology Transfer with Indian IPR
Safran has agreed to transfer 100% of the technology to DRDO, including the highly advanced single-crystal blade technology. These blades, manufactured from superalloys, are designed to withstand extreme heat and stress while ensuring efficiency and durability. Although DRDO has expertise in this domain, scaling the technology for high-powered fighter engines has remained a challenge until now.
The engines will be developed under Indian Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), making this a landmark in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defense technology.
Prototypes and Timeline
According to sources, Safran and GTRE will develop nine prototypes over the next 12 years. The engine will initially generate 120 KN of thrust, with capacity expected to rise to 140 KN by the end of the development phase.
Strategic Significance
India has long faced challenges in indigenous engine development, with the earlier Kaveri engine program failing to meet requirements. Currently, the Indian Air Force relies on GE’s F-404 and F-414 engines, though U.S. technology transfer agreements cover only about 70%.
By contrast, France has emerged as a more reliable defense partner, having continued military cooperation even after the 1998 Pokhran nuclear tests, when many countries imposed sanctions on India.
Industry Participation and Future Platforms
The AMCA program will see participation from leading Indian private-sector players such as Tata Group, Larsen & Toubro, and Adani Defence. The Safran-DRDO engine is also expected to power future twin-engine deck-based fighters for the Indian Navy, strengthening India’s aircraft carrier strike capabilities.
With France’s M-88 engine already powering India’s Rafale jets, the new co-developed engine will provide a seamless extension of Indo-French defense cooperation. Once operational, the 120–140 KN engine will not only make India self-reliant in fighter jet propulsion but also strategically reduce dependence on foreign suppliers, placing India among the very few nations capable of producing its own combat aircraft engines.
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