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France-India may co-develop engines for fighter jets

1 min read 02 Jul 2023, 08:15 AM IST Staff Writer

France has approved a deal with Safran to jointly design and manufacture engines for India's advanced multi-role combat aircraft and carrier-based fighter.

France has given the green signal to defence major Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture, and finally certify an engine with India (AP) — France has given the green signal to defence major Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture, and finally certify an engine with India **(AP)**

France has given the green signal to defence major Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture, and finally certify an engine with India that will empower twin-engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) and the twin-engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, while the Centre is tight-lipped about the deal but officials have confirmed about the 100% transfer of technology offered by Safran.

Recently, DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat paid a special visit to the Safran engine factory and the R&D centre near Paris on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show 2023. The engine proposal has been under discussion between the defence minister and NSA-led strategic dialogue with France.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit France on 13 July to attend the Bastille Day celebrations. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron on July 13. The Indian Air Force’s Rafale fighter will be participating in the Bastille Day fly-past on July 14.

According to the HT report, the French offers include a completely new engine, new materials, new architecture, with full supply chains, and ancillary manufacturing based in India. Besides, the offer also includes Safran setting up a centre of excellence in gas turbine technology in India with full design and metallurgical precision software tools.

The French offer is synchronised with Safran’s facility coming up in Hyderabad to maintain repair and overhaul (MRO) LEAP engines for the A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The French company is already working on a 125 KN engine for the next-generation fighter jet.

Safran engines power the helicopters made by HAL and the two companies are reported to have agreed to jointly develop the engine for Indian multi-role helicopters.

Last week US-based GE Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force during PM Narendra Modi's visit to the States.

As per the new agreement, Aerospace's F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk2.