SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fifth-generation fighter program, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has finally allowed Russia to participate in engine negotiations for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This marks a shift in India’s approach, as Russia had previously been kept out of discussions for the longest time, with the focus primarily on Western engine manufacturers like General Electric, Safran, and Rolls-Royce.
The decision to include Russia comes as a recognition of the considerable technological advancements Russia has made in engine technology, particularly for fifth-generation jets, which could potentially benefit the AMCA program.
The confirmation came through sources speaking to idrw.org, a leading Indian defense news portal, which has been closely following developments in the AMCA program. According to idrw.org, Russia’s state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec has offered its 177S engine—a hybrid of the AL-41F1 and AL-51 powerplants—for the AMCA program. The 177S is a fifth-generation engine designed specifically for tactical aircraft, promising increased thrust, improved fuel efficiency, and a significantly extended service life, making it a strong contender for India’s ambitious stealth fighter project.
The 177S engine, developed by Rostec’s United Engine Corporation (UEC), represents a leap forward in Russian engine technology. It is a hybrid derivative combining elements of the AL-41F1 (used in the Su-57 Felon) and the advanced AL-51, delivering a maximum thrust of 14,500 kgf (142 kN). With a service life of up to 6,000 hours—three times that of older engines like the AL-31FP used in India’s Su-30 MKI fleet—the 177S incorporates state-of-the-art technologies aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing operational costs. Reports suggest that the engine achieves at least a 7% reduction in fuel consumption across all operating regimes, a critical factor for extending the range and endurance of a stealth fighter like the AMCA.
Russian officials speaking to idrw.org emphasized the versatility of the 177S, noting that it has been designed to meet the demanding requirements of fifth-generation aircraft. By relaxing service life requirements, the engine’s thrust can be further increased, offering additional performance benefits. This adaptability makes the 177S a compelling option not only for the AMCA but also for other platforms, such as the Su-57E export variant, which Russia has offered to co-produce with India at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik facility.
One of the key questions surrounding the 177S engine’s suitability for the AMCA program is its thrust rating. AMCA engineers have consistently outlined a requirement for an engine delivering 110-120 kN of thrust to achieve the desired balance of performance, stealth, and supercruise capabilities. The 177S, with its 142 kN thrust, exceeds these specifications, prompting discussions about its integration into the AMCA airframe.
A Russian official speaking to idrw.org addressed this concern, suggesting that the additional power offered by the 177S could provide significant advantages. “The extra thrust can enable higher speeds and enhanced maneuverability for the AMCA,” the official noted, adding that India could further optimize the engine’s performance by incorporating a 2D flat nozzle design, similar to that seen on the American F-22 Raptor but absent in the F-35 Lightning II. Such a nozzle design would improve the aircraft’s infrared signature and stealth characteristics while allowing better thrust vectoring for superior agility—key attributes for a fifth-generation fighter operating in contested airspace.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.