In a bold move to strengthen India’s defence self-reliance, the government is seeking complete technology and intellectual property rights (IPR) transfer from French aerospace major Safran for the co-development of advanced fighter jet engines, sources told.
The collaboration, which will involve India’s premier research body DRDO, is expected to power the country’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft under the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.
Why it matters
If approved, the agreement will not just deliver cutting-edge jet engines for indigenous fighter jets but also mark a strategic shift in India’s defence manufacturing — ensuring that intellectual property stays within the country. This would be a significant step forward in India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.
Current status
Approvals, including the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearance, are still pending. However, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed progress, announcing that India will manufacture fifth-generation fighter jet engines with Safran.
“Today, we have taken steps towards building fifth-generation fighter aircraft and moved towards manufacturing their engines in India itself,” Singh posted on X, highlighting India’s roadmap to advanced aerospace capabilities.
The road ahead
●Prototype development: Expected timeline of 10–12 years.
●Integration: Engines will be designed to complement the AMCA as well as future indigenous fighter jet programmes.
●Boost to Tejas programme: India has also cleared orders worth Rs 66,000 crore for 97 Tejas jets, strengthening its indigenous air power.
The big picture
By insisting on full technology and IPR transfer, India aims not only to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers but also to develop sovereign capability in jet engine manufacturing — one of the most complex fields in defence technology.
If successful, this collaboration with Safran could rewrite the rules of international defence partnerships and make India one of the very few nations capable of independently designing and producing next-gen fighter jet engines.
