SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move towards bolstering India’s indigenous aviation capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has voiced robust support for the co-development of a new jet engine under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. However, the latest developments indicate a strategic shift in the approach to this ambitious project.
The plan now involves partnering with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to design the core of the engine, while Indian scientists and engineers focus on developing the low-pressure (LP) side of the engine. This collaboration aims to leverage international expertise for the more complex aspects of the jet engine, particularly the combustor core and high-pressure components, which are critical for performance and efficiency.
This partnership approach is seen as a pragmatic step to accelerate the AMCA project, ensuring that India can benefit from global technological advancements while simultaneously building its own manufacturing and design capabilities. The IAF’s strategy here is to “learn alongside” the foreign entity, gaining insights and skills that would otherwise take decades to develop independently.
A key aspect of this collaboration is the commitment to achieving 100% localization of the core engine in the long term. This goal is pivotal not just for the AMCA but for the broader aerospace industry in India, as it addresses several fundamental challenges:
- Material Science: The core of a jet engine requires materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures. Localizing these materials would reduce dependence on foreign supply chains, which are often subject to geopolitical risks.
- Manufacturing Techniques: Mastering the intricate, precision manufacturing processes needed for engine cores would elevate India’s manufacturing sector to new heights, potentially benefiting other industries as well.
- Technology Transfer: Through this collaboration, India aims to secure technology transfers that would allow not only for the production of the current generation of engines but also for future innovations in engine technology.
Experts believe that while this partnership might initially seem like a compromise on self-reliance, it’s a calculated move towards achieving full indigenous capability. By starting with a joint venture for the core engine, India can bypass some of the more significant technological hurdles, learning and then gradually taking over all aspects of engine production.
The decision has sparked discussions on social media and among defence analysts, with posts on X indicating a consensus that India’s fighter jet engine development cannot be pursued entirely indigenously within the required timelines for the AMCA Mk2. The sentiment reflects an acknowledgment of knowledge gaps and the necessity for international collaboration to meet the stringent deadlines and performance expectations of modern warfare.
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