India is preparing its own flagship fifth-generation fighter jet project, under which France will help India in making ‘Make in India’ engines.
New Delhi: In a significant development for India’s defence security needs, India is moving ahead with plans to co-develop fighter jet engines with French company Safran for its fifth-generation indigenous fighter jets (AMCA Mark-2). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India will begin manufacturing engines for fifth-generation fighter aircraft in partnership with French aerospace giant Safran. Since the new engine will take 10–12 years to develop, the initial AMCA Mark-1 squadrons will use American GE-414 engines, which are already powering prototypes of Tejas Mark-2 and AMCA Mark-1.
What’s the update on India’s flagship fifth-generation fighter jet?
The AMCA is set to be India’s flagship fifth-generation fighter jet project and it is being led by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in partnership with private industry. India and France are set to co-develop powerful jet engines for the AMCA Mark-2, with Safran partnering DRDO. The collaboration will ensure the engines are designed and manufactured in India itself.
As per a report by IANS, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that India will begin manufacturing engines for fifth-generation fighter aircraft in partnership with French aerospace giant Safran. The Union Minister said the move marks a major step in India’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous defence and aerospace capabilities.
Story highlights:
- India is preparing its own flagship fifth-generation fighter jet project.
- Named AMCA, the fighter jet will help India against China and Pakistan.
- India has announced that the it’s manufacturing engines for fifth-generation fighter aircraft in partnership with French aerospace giant Safran.
How is India building fifth-generation fighter aircraft?
“Today, we have taken another step forward towards building fifth-generation fighter aircraft. We are now moving towards manufacturing their engines in India itself, in collaboration with the French company Safran,” Singh said during an event organised by The Economic Times in the national capital.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the larger vision behind ‘Make in India’.
“Our Make in India initiative is not limited to India alone. When you Make in India, you make for the world”, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said.
The announcement comes just months after the Defence Ministry approved the execution model for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
(With inputs from agencies)
