SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a pivotal development for India’s aerospace ambitions, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), confirmed on April 13, 2025, that a deal with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the co-development of a sixth-generation fighter jet engine will be finalized within the next two to three months. S
peaking at a defense technology event in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, Dr. Kamat revealed that four global companies are competing to partner with India on this cutting-edge project, aimed at powering the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk-2 and future sixth-generation platforms. This announcement signals a major step toward positioning India among the world’s leaders in next-generation aviation technology.
“We are in advanced discussions with four OEMs, and we expect to conclude the partnership deal in the next two to three months,” Dr. Kamat stated, highlighting the urgency and strategic importance of the program. The sixth-generation engine, expected to deliver 110-130 kN of thrust, will incorporate advanced features like variable cycle technology (VCE), enabling superior fuel efficiency, enhanced thrust, and thermal management for directed-energy weapons. Such capabilities are critical for the AMCA, India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, and any future sixth-generation aircraft, ensuring they remain competitive against global peers like the U.S. Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and China’s J-XX programs.
The four companies in the race—widely speculated to include France’s Safran, U.S.-based General Electric (GE), UK’s Rolls-Royce, and possibly NPO Saturn—bring expertise in engines, a hallmark of sixth-generation propulsion. These engines dynamically adjust airflow to optimize performance across missions, offering up to 30% better range and 20% faster acceleration compared to fifth-generation engines like the F135. Dr. Kamat emphasized that co-development is essential to reduce risks and timelines, given the complexity of the technology. “A sixth-generation engine requires a $4-5 billion investment, and partnering with a global leader ensures we achieve this capability swiftly,” he noted, citing lessons from the Kaveri engine’s prolonged development.
The AMCA program, approved in 2024 with a ?15,000 crore budget, will initially use GE F414 engines (98 kN) for its Mk-1 variant, with the first flight slated for 2030 and induction by 2035. However, the Mk-2, expected by 2040, demands a more powerful, stealth-compatible engine to enable supercruise (Mach 1.2 without afterburners) and support advanced systems like AI-driven swarm drones and laser weapons. DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) will lead the Indian side of the collaboration, leveraging know-how from the Kaveri project, which achieved 81 kN but fell short of fifth-generation standards.
Dr. Kamat’s announcement follows years of negotiations, with Safran previously considered a frontrunner after India-France talks during PM Narendra Modi’s 2023 Paris visit. However, GE’s F414 deal for Tejas Mk-2 and Rolls-Royce’s interest in co-developing a 110 kN engine have widened the field.
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