Post Op Sindoor, India Eyes Partnership With France's Safran To Power Next-Gen Tejas Mk2 Jets
Post Op Sindoor, India Eyes Partnership With France's Safran To Power Next-Gen Tejas Mk2 Jets
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India Today
3 hours ago
- India Today
Amid US delays, India eyes partnership with France for Tejas Mark 2 fighter jets
With the United States delaying engine deliveries for India's advanced fighter aircraft programmes, New Delhi is actively exploring an alternative partnership with French aerospace company Safran. The move is aimed at powering the next-generation Tejas Mark 2 and the upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), with more powerful and locally developed familiar with the development have confirmed that Safran has submitted formal proposals to India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on developing advanced jet engines for both fighter the Tejas Mark 2 programme is tied to the American GE F414 engine, which offers 98 kN of thrust. GE and HAL have signed a technology transfer agreement under which 80% of the engine will be manufactured in India. However, delays in supply and rising costs have slowed progress, prompting India to consider alternatives. Safran has now emerged as a strong contender, offering a 110 kN thrust engine for the Tejas Mk-2. This engine is expected to enhance the aircraft's speed, payload capacity and Tejas Mk-2, being jointly developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL, is designed to replace the Indian Air Force's ageing Jaguar, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29 fleets. The aircraft will come equipped with modern radar, an infrared tracking system, and Indian-origin weapons such as the Astra missile and addition to the Mk-2 engine, Safran has also proposed a 120 kN high-thrust engine for the twin-engine configuration of the AMCA. This engine will be critical for the stealth fighter's performance and advanced capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Thursday that India is targeting the development of five AMCA prototypes by already collaborates with HAL on helicopter engine projects. If the new proposals move forward, the partnership could play a pivotal role not just in the Tejas Mk-2 and AMCA programs, but also in shaping the future of indigenous jet engine manufacturing in India. The collaboration may also come with Transfer of Technology (ToT) provisions, which would further boost India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
India Explores Engine Deal With France's Safran For Advanced Tejas Mk2 Fleet
Last Updated: After Operation Sindoor, there is a renewed urgency to scale up production and delivery of advanced fighter jets, said defence officials India is exploring a possible collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran to develop jet engines for its next-generation Tejas Mk-2 light combat aircraft. While US-based GE Aerospace currently provides the F404-IN20 engines powering the Tejas Mk-1, supply delays have disrupted delivery schedules, creating challenges for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and slowing the Indian Air Force's efforts to strengthen its fighter fleet, senior defence officials told Moneycontrol. The delays have prompted India to reassess its options and seek additional partnerships that could speed up domestic engine development, they added. The Indian Air Force (IAF), which aims to operate 42 fighter squadrons, currently has just 31 active. Following the heightened security challenges after Operation Sindoor, there is a renewed urgency to scale up production and delivery of advanced fighter jets, said the officials, adding that defence planners are now prioritising alternatives to ensure engine availability and reduce dependence on any single supplier. The strategic reassessment also stems from concerns about the consistency of foreign technology transfers and supply chains. 'All viable options are being evaluated to meet the IAF's growing needs," a senior official told Moneycontrol. India's indigenous fighter program began gaining momentum with the IAF's first Tejas Mk-1 order in 2009-10, comprising 40 aircraft (32 fighters and 8 trainers). A second, much larger order for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets was signed in 2021, valued at ₹48,000 crore. Deliveries were initially scheduled to begin in mid-2024, but delays in engine shipments from GE have pushed back timelines. GE has delivered one of the 99 F404 engines contracted in 2021, on top of the 65 engines supplied earlier for the Mk-1 fleet. The more advanced F414 engines—also from GE—are designated to power the Tejas Mk-2 variant and India's future fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). However, recurring delays and strategic concerns have brought Safran into focus as a potential partner, the officials said. If discussions succeed, the French firm may be involved in developing engines specifically for the Tejas Mk-2 platform. Future-Ready: The Tejas Mk-2 The Tejas Mk-2, a 4.5-generation fighter weighing approximately 17.5 tonnes, is slated to eventually replace ageing aircraft in the IAF fleet, including the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29. It promises greater range, payload, and versatility than its predecessor, making timely engine development critical. Officials noted that diversifying partnerships is not only about avoiding supply bottlenecks but also about acquiring the technical expertise necessary to build engines domestically. This aligns with India's broader goal under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative to reduce reliance on imported defence hardware. As India balances growing security imperatives with industrial ambition, a partnership with Safran—if finalised—could mark a turning point in the country's journey toward self-sufficiency in combat aviation. First Published: May 27, 2025, 23:51 IST
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Post Op Sindoor, India Eyes Partnership With France's Safran To Power Next-Gen Tejas Mk2 Jets
Post Op Sindoor, India Eyes Partnership With France's Safran To Power Next-Gen Tejas Mk2 Jets
