SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Dr. S.V. Ramanamurthy, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), has confirmed that India is actively pursuing a joint design and co-development model with an international engine manufacturer for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)’s next-generation engine. Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event, Dr. Ramanamurthy emphasized that while global collaboration is on the cards, significant groundwork in advanced technologies is already underway domestically.
“We’ll be going ahead with maybe co-design and co-development with an international engine house,” said Dr. Ramanamurthy, adding that India has already initiated work in parallel on advanced propulsion technologies. “From our side, we have already started R&D work in collaboration with institutes and academia. The advanced technologies are being worked on—those efforts have already been initiated,” he stated.
This statement marks a significant step forward in India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in combat aircraft propulsion systems. The upcoming engine, meant for the AMCA Mk2 variant, is expected to deliver 120kN of thrust, a correction to the widely misreported 110kN figure seen in earlier media reports.
GTRE has taken the lead role in India’s aero engine development programs and is now building a long-term roadmap for high-thrust class engines that meet next-gen fighter jet requirements. The AMCA Mk1 will initially be powered by the U.S.-made GE F414 engine, but the long-term aim is to transition to a fully indigenous powerplant.
India has been in talks with global engine makers such as GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, and Safran for technology transfer and joint development partnerships. However, Dr. Ramanamurthy’s remarks highlight a balanced approach—leveraging international expertise while building a domestic foundation through academia-industry collaboration.
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