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Major leap for Atmanirbhar Bharat; talks underway with GE, Safran for local manufacturing

 

Key Highlights:

  • Fighter jet engine production to begin in India by 2026
  • GE and Safran in advanced talks with New Delhi for joint manufacturing
  • CCS to approve final deal soon
  • Technology transfer a core condition of all foreign collaborations
  • AMCA project on track; could be completed earlier than expected

 

New Delhi: India is preparing to start production of its own fighter jet engines by next year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Friday — calling it a defining milestone in the country’s journey toward defence self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

In an exclusive interview with Network18 Group Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Singh revealed that India is in advanced discussions with several leading global defence manufacturers, including US-based General Electric (GE) and France’s Safran, to set up local production facilities with full technology transfer.

“The engines will be made in India, by Indians,” Singh said confidently, signalling a strategic shift in India’s military manufacturing capability.

Talks in Final Stage

Responding to a question about expediting engine supplies for the indigenous Tejas fighter jets following the phase-out of the ageing MiG-21 fleet, Singh said, “There are talks with companies like GE and Safran. We’ve already taken several steps in that direction. However, the final decision will be made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).”

He added that India’s roadmap for domestic engine manufacturing is clear and progressing on schedule. “We have clarity on the concept and direction,” Singh affirmed.

No External Pressure

The Defence Minister emphasised that while India will continue to import certain engines in the short term, it will not compromise on national interests. “We’ve made it clear that if we purchase engines from you, they must be manufactured in India with complete technology transfer,” he said, adding that there was no pressure from any foreign nation, including the US, regarding defence procurements.

Indigenous AMCA Project Gains Pace

Singh also shed light on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — India’s upcoming fifth-generation, twin-engine stealth fighter currently under development. He said the project had made “encouraging progress,” and India aims to accelerate both engine development and aircraft manufacturing timelines.

While defence experts estimate the AMCA’s production phase could take up to ten years, Singh hinted at a faster rollout. “There is a possibility it may even happen before that,” he said.

Technology Transfer at Core of Strategy

Although Singh did not disclose which foreign company is leading current negotiations, he stressed that the government’s statements were “not baseless” and that discussions were progressing swiftly. He reiterated that India’s goal is to manufacture jet engines domestically — even in collaborative ventures — with technology transfer as a non-negotiable clause.

Strategic Leap in Defence Autonomy

The move to indigenously produce jet engines is seen as one of India’s most significant defence advancements in decades. For years, India has relied on imported engines for its combat aircraft, including from Russia, the US, and France.

If successful, the project will not only power the Tejas and AMCA fleets but also mark India’s entry into the elite club of nations capable of producing advanced fighter jet engines, a domain dominated by a handful of global players.

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