India evaluates Safran and Rolls-Royce bids for AMCA fighter engine

India is seeking a domestic 120-kilonewton (kN) turbofan engine to power its fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Two major aerospace companies, France’s Safran and the United Kingdom’s Rolls-Royce, are competing to provide the technology for this critical defense project.

Safran is proposing a joint venture with the state-run Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Their strategy focuses on comprehensive technology transfer and sharing development costs within the existing government ecosystem. In contrast, Rolls-Royce is proposing a partnership with the private conglomerate Reliance Industries, aiming to establish a sovereign combat engine ecosystem through a massive Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India.

Separately, the indigenous fighter aircraft program faces scrutiny due to delays. Former Indian Air Force Vice Chief Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor (Retd) has raised concerns regarding the delivery timelines of the Tejas Mk1A by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and questioned the long-term operational relevance of the Tejas Mk2 if large-scale induction is delayed into the mid-2030s.