SOURCE: AFI
In a compelling discussion on Republic TV, Mr. Baba Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge, emphasized the Indian industry’s commitment to investing in cutting-edge technology and developing advanced weapon platforms. He underscored the critical need for industry consortia to drive the development of indigenous aero engines, stating, “Indian Industry committed to invest in #technology and developing advanced weapon platforms.
Industry Consortia, a must, to develop #MadeinIndia Aero Engines.” This bold vision, articulated on a prominent national platform, highlights the strategic importance of self-reliance in India’s defense sector, particularly in the high-stakes domain of aero engine technology. As India aims to bolster its aerospace capabilities amid escalating regional tensions, Kalyani’s call for collaborative innovation signals a transformative shift in the country’s defense industrial ecosystem.
India’s aerospace sector has made significant strides in recent decades, with indigenous platforms like the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv, and Akash Surface-to-Air Missile showcasing the country’s growing technological prowess. However, a critical gap remains in the development of high-performance aero engines, a domain dominated by global giants like General Electric, Rolls-Royce, and Safran. Currently, India relies heavily on imported engines, such as the GE F404 for the Tejas Mk-1 and the AL-31FP for the Su-30 MKI, which poses strategic vulnerabilities in terms of supply chain reliability and maintenance costs.
The Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has prioritized indigenous defense manufacturing, with a target of achieving $25 billion in defense exports by 2030. Aero engines, often described as the “heart” of combat aircraft, are a focal point of this vision. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and private industry players like Bharat Forge are at the forefront of efforts to bridge this gap, but the complexity of aero engine technology demands unprecedented collaboration. Baba Kalyani’s remarks on Republic TV underscore the urgency of this mission, particularly in light of recent geopolitical developments, including Operation Sindoor in May 2025, which highlighted India’s reliance on robust air power.
As the head of Bharat Forge, a global leader in forging and advanced manufacturing, Baba Kalyani brings a wealth of experience to the table. His company has diversified into defense, supplying critical components for artillery systems like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) and contributing to India’s missile programs. Kalyani’s call for industry consortia reflects a pragmatic approach to tackling the technological and financial challenges of aero engine development.
Why Consortia?
Aero engines are among the most complex engineering systems, requiring expertise in metallurgy, aerodynamics, thermal management, and digital control systems. Developing a jet engine from scratch involves billions of dollars in investment, decades of research, and access to cutting-edge materials like single-crystal turbine blades and ceramic matrix composites. No single Indian company, public or private, possesses the full spectrum of capabilities needed to compete with global leaders. Kalyani’s proposal for industry consortia envisions a collaborative model where:
- Private Industry (e.g., Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence) contributes manufacturing expertise, supply chain management, and investment.
- Public Sector Undertakings (e.g., Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Gas Turbine Research Establishment) provide infrastructure, testing facilities, and domain knowledge.
- Academic Institutions (e.g., IITs, IISc) drive fundamental research in materials and propulsion technologies.
- Startups and SMEs innovate in niche areas like additive manufacturing and AI-driven design optimization.
This multi-stakeholder approach mirrors successful global models, such as the European Clean Sky initiative, where Airbus, Safran, and academic partners collaborate on next-generation propulsion systems. Kalyani’s vision aligns with India’s Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020, which encourages public-private partnerships to achieve technological self-reliance.
Bharat Forge is uniquely positioned to lead such consortia, given its expertise in high-precision forging and advanced materials. The company’s Kalyani Centre for Technology and Innovation (KCTI) has developed capabilities in titanium and superalloy processing, critical for aero engine components like compressor blades and turbine discs. Bharat Forge’s joint ventures, such as with Safran for landing gear components, demonstrate its ability to collaborate with global players while building indigenous capacity. Kalyani’s emphasis on investment in technology reflects Bharat Forge’s ongoing R&D efforts, including partnerships with DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to support the Kaveri engine program.
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