India France to Build Fighter Jet Engines Locally
India Pushes Fighter Jet Engine Production with French Partnership
NEW DELHI – India has taken another major step toward building advanced fighter jets at home, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirming plans to produce aircraft engines in the country in partnership with a French company.
Speaking at a defence conference in New Delhi on Friday, Singh said the move will strengthen India’s indigenous defence sector. “We are moving forward to manufacture aircraft engines in India itself,” he announced, with local media reporting French engine maker Safran as the likely partner, though no official confirmation has been made.
The announcement comes after Singh approved the prototype of the 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in May, a project seen as vital to modernising India’s air power.
India, one of the world’s biggest arms buyers, has been steadily shifting focus towards domestic production. The country has deepened defence ties with Western allies, including the Quad grouping with the U.S., Japan and Australia.
Just last April, New Delhi signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with France’s Dassault Aviation to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets, adding to the 36 already in service. The new jets will replace the ageing Russian MiG-29K fleet.
To further reduce reliance on imports, Singh has pledged $100 billion worth of domestic defence contracts by 2033. In recent years, India has rolled out major projects including a new helicopter factory, its first locally built aircraft carrier, new warships and submarines, and a successful long-range hypersonic missile test.
India’s push for stronger defence capabilities comes amid rising regional tensions. In May, the country faced its most serious military clash with Pakistan since the 1999 Kargil conflict.
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