SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a passionate address, Air Vice Marshal Suresh Singh (Retd) has called for India to abandon hopes of co-designing or co-developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) engine with international partners, asserting that no foreign entity will share critical jet engine technology. Speaking with conviction, he emphasized that India must stand on its own feet and develop the 120kN engine indigenously, leveraging its own resources, talent, and determination.
Singh dismissed the notion of foreign technology transfer, stating, “Nobody in the world is going to co-design, co-develop, or give technology to you. Take it from me—100% technology, no one will give.” He argued that global aerospace giants, having invested vast sums of money, time, and resources, are unwilling to share proprietary technologies that could create future competitors. “Why should they lose revenue by giving you the edge?” he questioned, urging India to chart an independent path.
Drawing from history, Singh highlighted the origins of jet engine technology to underscore that innovation is achievable with determination. He cited Frank Whittle, who patented the jet engine in 1930 in Britain but struggled without organizational support, relying on personal loans to build prototypes. In contrast, Hans von Ohain, backed by Germany’s Heinkel Corporation, developed a prototype by 1937, which was flight-tested in 1939. Singh also noted how General Electric in the USA reverse-engineered Whittle’s designs in 1942, producing the A1 engine within six months, while Russia reverse-engineered British engines post-World War II to develop the VK1.
“Engines are never perfect,” Singh remarked, pointing to modern examples like the Pratt & Whitney engines, which have faced failures despite extensive testing. He stressed that even advanced simulation tools, now widely available, cannot eliminate all risks, but they significantly accelerate development compared to decades past.
Singh acknowledged the Gas Turbine Research Establishment’s (GTRE) efforts, particularly with the Kaveri engine, but candidly noted that the organization has taken 40 years with limited success. “The nation and media have been very kind to you,” he said, urging GTRE to now take a leadership role as a technology and R&D partner. He proposed a bold new approach: forming a consortium of India’s top four or five private companies to spearhead engine development, with GTRE as the integrator and technical lead.
Singh advocated for a government-funded “Mission Aero Engine” to develop the 120kN turbofan engine, primarily for fighter aircraft like the AMCA, with potential adaptations for military freight aircraft and commercial jets like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320. He suggested dividing the engine into 20 components, with major firms handling five key systems (e.g., airframe, engine, avionics) and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) conducting fundamental R&D, testing, and integration for sub-components.
Citing successful global examples like the International Aero Engines V2500 and EJ200, Singh proposed that the consortium be led by a fixed integrator, with other partners joining on a risk-and-revenue-sharing basis. The initiative, he insisted, should be fully funded by the Government of India and monitored directly by the Prime Minister’s Office, akin to ISRO’s model, to ensure commitment and accountability.
Singh’s message was clear: India cannot afford to wait another 40 years for an indigenous engine. He urged GTRE, the DRDO, and the Ministry of Defence to embrace this consortium model, with Indian industry taking the lead. “If it can be developed in one part of the globe, it can be developed in India,” he asserted, emphasizing the nation’s potential to overcome technological challenges through dedication and collaboration.
He concluded with a heartfelt plea to GTRE Director Dr. S.V. Ramanamurthy and DRDO leadership to act decisively, warning that partial technology transfer (e.g., 99.9% reliability) is insufficient for a jet engine, where failure can be catastrophic. “This is the time for Indian industry to shine,” Singh declared, calling for a unified effort to make the AMCA engine a reality.
The discussion transitioned to industry perspectives, with Singh inviting Mr. Venkat Raju, an industry representative, to share insights on Indian industry’s capabilities, budgeting, timelines, and the feasibility of a collaborative approach with foreign vendors. While Raju’s response was not detailed, Singh’s vision set a clear tone: India must prioritize self-reliance, harness its private sector’s potential, and invest heavily in R&D to achieve a breakthrough in jet engine technology.
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