SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At The Week Defence Conclave, Venkat Raju, Managing Director of VEM Technologies, delivered a compelling assessment of India’s readiness to develop indigenous fighter jet engines, highlighting the nation’s strides in technology, manufacturing, and strategic imperatives. Raju’s remarks underscored both the potential and the challenges in achieving self-reliance in this critical defense sector.
Raju emphasized that India has made significant progress in key areas essential for engine development. “We have gained significant expertise in system engineering, integration, and process automation,” he stated. The Indian industry has matured in its understanding of advanced materials, bolstered by extensive experience in building test equipment and leveraging a pool of highly skilled engineers. Design and analytical tools have reached high levels of efficiency, enabling faster and more accurate simulation of engine performance. Precision manufacturing capabilities are now well-established, positioning India to produce critical components and equipment with confidence.
India’s expertise extends to fuel system management and reliability engineering, with private industry achieving full system-level capabilities. “This means engine development can now be managed by private industry,” Raju asserted, signaling a shift from reliance on public sector entities. Additionally, India possesses the capacity to manufacture engines at scale, a critical factor for meeting the demands of modern fighter jet programs.
However, challenges remain, particularly in high-altitude testing, where India may still require external support. Raju stressed the strategic risks of depending on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for engine development. “At a tactical level, having some foreign engines is acceptable,” he noted, “but no foreign OEM is likely to provide true technology transfer or genuine co-development opportunities.” This underscores the need for India to prioritize indigenous development to achieve strategic autonomy.
Raju provided a realistic timeline for engine development, cautioning that it is a long-term endeavor. “Testing alone will take at least five years,” he said, estimating that a fully operational indigenous fighter jet engine could take approximately 15 years to develop following the Indian approach. The financial commitment is equally significant, with an estimated ?12,000 to ?15,000 crore required for development and mass production.
To realize this vision, Raju called for decisive action at the highest policy levels. “Decisive action at the apex policy level is critical,” he urged, emphasizing the need for sustained government support, investment, and strategic alignment to drive this ambitious program forward.
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