India is set to spend nearly 654 billion rupees ($7.44 billion) to purchase and develop engines for its fighter aircraft programs by 2035, according to a senior defence official. The move reflects India’s growing commitment to strengthen its defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.
S. V. Ramana Murthy, director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), said that the country will need around 1,100 engines for various fighter jet projects currently in development. Speaking at a defence event in New Delhi, he emphasized the need for a strong industrial ecosystem to support indigenous fighter engine production.
India’s long-standing Kaveri engine program, which aimed to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, has faced persistent technical challenges and has yet to achieve full operational success. Murthy noted that developing a domestic fighter engine requires focused national effort and key infrastructure such as a high-altitude testing facility.
He added that a modified version of the Kaveri engine could also be used for an upcoming home-grown unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) project.
The GTRE director is currently leading talks to co-develop a new engine with a foreign partner for India’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Global engine makers, including France’s Safran, Britain’s Rolls-Royce, and the U.S.-based General Electric, have expressed interest in collaborating on the project.
Officials have stated that the first prototype of the AMCA could be unveiled in 2028, marking a major milestone in India’s defence aviation programme.
The government has also opened bidding for private firms to participate in the fighter aircraft programme, easing pressure on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) — the state-owned company that produces most of India’s military aircraft.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration continues to push for domestic defence manufacturing, encouraging global defence companies to partner with Indian firms and invest in local production facilities.
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