Indian Air Force Next-Gen AMCA Fighter Jet Will Have Indigenous Engines
The plan to share jet engine technology under the US-India Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) has been suspended because of little progress made by the Americans, once the detailed discussions were over. The further development of the indigenous Kaveri fighter jet engine as part of the Rafale offsets deal is progressing ahead but at a very slow speed. Presentations have been also been made by the French for creating an aircraft engine ecosystem in India.
However the IAF has insisted for development of an indigenous aero engine when it clears a multi-billion dollar programme to go ahead with the next generation Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
The first prototype of the AMCA is currently expected to take to the skies by 2024 with imported engines. However it is being planned to develop a proper indigenous engine to power AMCA when it enters the full production stage. This will also lead to true self dependence in production of fighter jets.
Though may be on ground the first squadron of the AMCA may still be powered by a variant of American origin GE 414 engine, the project will be cleared in the coming months on the condition that a parallel process be initiated by DRDO to develop a aero engine plant with collaboration. “A clear path towards developing our own aero engine is essential and should be done along the AMCA programme which is being supported. If needed, foreign collaboration from western nations that have advanced technologies can be sought,” said a senior official.
The DRDO has carried out preliminary designs for the AMCA and is confident that it will be in a position to roll out the first test fighter within four years of the project receiving the next stage of financial sanction that is pegged around $ 1billion. The air force has put its weight behind the project as well, along with the Light Combat Aircraft. In comments preceding the air force day, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria had said that “on the fifth generation (requirement), the AMCA has been given a go ahead and we have given it our whole support and are putting in our energies there” and that no imports were planned in the foreseeable future.
