Safran ha selezionato per sviluppare il motore per il futuro Jet Amca Fighter dell’India

>A strategic gamble for New Delhi. The Indian Ministry of Defense has recommended signing a partnership with France for the joint development of an engine for their future combat aircraft. The decision, revealed by [The Economic Times](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indo-french-next-generation-fighter-engine-collab-gets-minimum-thrust/articleshow/122670184.cms?from=mdr) , marks a major step forward in India’s quest for industrial autonomy in the defense sector.

>This project, estimated at around €6.7 billion, aims to design a 120 kilonewton (kN) engine to power India’s future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet. The program is ambitious: five prototypes are expected by 2027, a first flight in 2028, certification in 2032, and series production by 2035.

>**Safran wins against Rolls-Royce**

>The French proposal, led by Safran, was preferred to that of the British company Rolls-Royce after a technical consultation process conducted by experts and representatives of the Indian aerospace ecosystem. The key to the choice: a technology transfer deemed more comprehensive, including critical know-how in design, production, and maintenance. The French aircraft engine manufacturer’s offer also aligns with the AMCA schedule, which worked in its favor.

>This partnership represents a strategic shift for India, whose current fighter jets—Su-30, Rafale, and LCA Tejas—are all powered by foreign engines. The cost of an engine, and especially maintaining it in operational condition, weighs heavily on an aircraft’s lifecycle. India has been grappling with this for years, so far without success. The domestic Kaveri program has never achieved the expected performance. A derivative version could, however, eventually equip combat drones.

>Meanwhile, India [continues](https://opexnews.fr/tag/inde/) to negotiate with the United States for a license to manufacture the GE 414 INS6 engine, intended for the Tejas Mk2. But here again, New Delhi is demanding a very high level of technology transfer, including hot blade processing, laser drilling, and advanced metallurgy, technologies that are rarely shared.

>**A key partnership for AMCA**

>With France, the signal is strong. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, the main architect of this strategy, wants to create a sovereign aircraft engine ecosystem. The need is real: according to estimates, more than 250 engines will be needed to equip the Indian Air Force’s future AMCA squadrons, and potentially a naval version for the Navy.

>Beyond local production, India is therefore aiming for a structural increase in skills. If the project succeeds, it could make New Delhi a credible player in next-generation aeronautical propulsion engineering, a club that is currently very limited. For France, it is also an opportunity to consolidate a strategic partnership, in the face of China’s growing power and American competition in the Asian market.

>The defence ministry has recommended a collaboration with France to develop next-generation fighter jet engines, marking a breakthrough for the mega project that will bring advanced manufacturing and design technologies and is a key step towards self-reliance.

Deal is not 100% according to the original source sure but it would be pretty much hard to loose it as Safran already is transfering engine tech to them + France works extensively in military industry with India.

It would also mean that whatever happens to SCAF, France would still be develloping the whole technology for a 6th gen plane and it would help Safran to clearly be ahead of Rolls Royce if it does both engines.

India is an odd player – simultaneously doing joint weapons development with Russia while also getting more and more cozy with the west. Imagine seeing French jets carrying Russian missiles.