India Aero engine development: India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the country must move faster in building very advanced aircraft engines. He spoke on Monday during his visit to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment which works under the Defence Research and Development Organisation. This lab is known as Gas Turbine Research Establishment or GTRE.
He said India should not stop with the engines it is building now for the fifth generation fighter jet called the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. He clearly said, “We cannot limit ourselves to only 5th-generation engines. We must begin the development of 6th-generation, advanced technologies as soon as possible,”. He also said that new tools like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and better materials must be used to build stronger and smarter engines in the future.
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The minister also talked about older engine projects that did not fully succeed. He said the country must now finish what it started and become fully capable of making its own aero engines.
Working with Other Countries
During his speech, Singh shared that GTRE has been working with the United Kingdom and has started talks with France under the National Aero Engine Mission. These talks are meant to help India learn from countries that already build powerful engines.
French company Safran is said to be in serious discussions with India about sharing technology and building engines together. At the same time, British engine maker Rolls-Royce is also in the race to work with India.
GTRE has also taken steps inside India. It has sent out an Expression of Interest to find an Indian company that can help in making and putting together a new high thrust engine. This engine will first be used for the AMCA fighter jet. The plan is to choose a Development-cum-Production Partner who can handle complex work and final assembly. Companies must send their bids by March 26 and the bids will be opened the next day.
Right now the first version of AMCA is expected to use the GE F414 engine. But India wants its own powerful engine for later versions like AMCA Mk-2. Sources say this new engine might also be used in the HAL Tejas Mk2 fighter jet in the future. It could even be part of upgrades later on.
Engine Delays
The minister also checked the progress of other gas turbine engine projects. He was shown how GTRE is working with private companies, colleges, and research centers. He also watched a full afterburner test of the Kaveri engine. There was also an exhibition that displayed engines and parts made in India.
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At the same time, India is facing delays in getting GE F404 engines from the United States. These engines are needed for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet program. Because of this delay, production has slowed down. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is waiting for these engines so it can continue building and delivering the jets.
The Indian Air Force is also waiting to induct these aircraft. The force needs more fighter squadrons to fill gaps in its strength. The engine delay has become a big problem and has affected the timeline of the whole program.
