Sixth-generation aero-engine can be developed by tying up with foreign firm: DRDO chief

India will have to invest close to $4 billion-$5 billion, says Samir V. Kamat

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir V. Kamat. | Photo Credit: ANI


The only way India can develop a sixth-generation aero-engine and other technologies required is by co-development with a foreign manufacturer, Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said while noting that India currently invests only 5% of its defence budget for research and development, which needs to increased to 15%.

To realise that capability, he said the country will have to invest close to $4 billion to $5 billion, that’s ₹40,000 crore to 50,000 crore.

His remarks come against the backdrop of huge delays in the development of indigenous fighter jets, while China has made rapid progress in this area. Incidentally, India is in talks with France for the co-development of a 110KN engine for the fifth-generation jet, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), that is on the drawing board and at least a decade away from the roll-out of a prototype.

There are still critical issues that need to be worked out before an agreement can be reached, sources said on the status of discussions between India and France.

The decision for the co-development of a new engine was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris in July 2023. Since then discussions have been going on between the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), and Safran to work out the specifications and other modalities.

“If we look at what we need to do in terms of technologies, the first priority is aero-engines. Today, we have demonstrated a fourth-generation aero-engine for our fighter aircraft but going ahead we will need a sixth-generation aero-engine where the thrust to weight ratios exceed 10,” Mr. Kamat said, speaking at an event two days ago.

He detailed various technologies that need to be developed such as single-crystal blade powder metallurgy discs and ceramic matrix composites for static parts to begin with.

“And if we have to do this and deliver an aero-engine the only way I can see is if we do a co-development with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer.”

Elaborating further, he said various facilities have to be to set up — testing facilities for each sub-system, a high-altitude test facility, flying test-bed, manufacturing facilities to make the disc which would need investing in a forge press which can press 50,000 tonnes, and so on.


In this regard, Mr. Kamat said that when it comes to platforms India had reached a “certain level of maturity” in fighter aircraft, but needs to build capacity. “Today, we are not able to deliver 16 aircraft per year. For that we should increase our capacity. Whether it should be in the public sector, private sector or joint, is a decision we all have to arrive at.”

Further, addressing an oft demand that a separate assembly line should be set up by the private sector for the LCA, Mr. Kamat noted that only U.S., and may be Russia, has two players in the fighter space. Overall, in other countries you have only one major player because the volumes are not sufficient, he stated adding, “So we have to take a call and support whatever decision we arrive at after due deliberations.”

The jet-engine technology is a closely guarded secret due to its extreme criticality in modern warfare. India made unsuccessful attempts in the past to develop an engine locally under the now shelved ‘Kaveri’ project. The Kaveri project was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 1989 and over the course of 30 years, before it was shut down, saw an expenditure of ₹2035.56 crore and the development of nine full prototype engines and four core engines.


The General Electric (GE) F-414 engine deal, which Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. bagged, is for manufacturing licence of an already operational engine. The deal gives India access to several technologies and industrial processes involved in the manufacture of jet engines and will upskill the capabilities of the Indian industry, both public and private, officials stated earlier.

The F-414 engines are meant to power the LCA-MK2, a larger and more capable variant of the LCA currently in service, and also the initial version of the under-development AMCA. The AMCA is planned in two phases — MK1 with the GE414 engine and a MK2 with an engine to be co-developed with France.

Speaking at the same event, Indian Air Force (IAF) chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said that R&D loses its relevance in case it is not able to meet timelines. “Technology delayed is technology denied. There has to be an increased aptitude for acceptance of risks involved and failures in R&D,” he stated, adding that they haven’t yet received the first 40 LCA.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sixth-generation-aero-engine-can-be-developed-by-tying-up-with-foreign-firm-drdo-chief/article69081772.ece