India to Invest $7.4 Billion in Fighter Jet Engine Programs by 2035 as Indigenous Development Accelerates

By R Anil Kumar

• India expects to spend about Rs. 654 billion ($7.44 billion) to buy engines for fighter aircraft that are under development until 2035, according to estimates shared by a defence official who leads the efforts to build a home-grown engine

• The country will require about 1,100 engines for a variety of fighter jet programmes that are progressing through various stages, said S. V. Ramana Murthy, director of India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a state-run defence laboratory

Bengaluru. India is set to invest approximately Rs. 654 billion (about $7.44 billion) over the next decade for manufacturing and procuring fighter jet engines to support ongoing and upcoming military aviation programs through 2035.

The plan aligns with the nation’s long-term goal of achieving self-reliance in critical aerospace technologies and reducing dependence on foreign propulsion systems.

According to SV Ramana Murthy, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), India will need around 1,100 aircraft engines across several fighter platforms currently in various developmental stages. These include the TEJAS MK-1A, TEJAS MK-2, and the next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), among others.

India’s long-standing effort to indigenously develop a home-grown Kaveri turbofan engine has faced persistent technical limitations, including challenges in achieving the required thrust-to-weight ratio and reliability at higher altitudes.

However, researchers and engineers are now focusing on derivative versions of the Kaveri that could power unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and future light aircraft, offering practical pathways for phased technology integration.

Ramana Murthy emphasised the urgency of establishing a robust domestic ecosystem for indigenous engine manufacturing, calling for mission-mode initiatives to build critical infrastructure such as high-altitude test facilities, advanced material research setups, and turbine blade manufacturing precision centres.

He added that India needs a strong industrial base and skilled supply chain to support high-performance aerospace propulsion requirements.

In parallel, India is advancing negotiations to co-develop an engine with an international partner for its upcoming 5th-generation stealth fighter, the AMCA. Global aerospace leaders Safran (France), Rolls-Royce (UK), and General Electric (US) have all expressed firm interest in participating in this strategic collaboration. The program is expected to combine foreign technological expertise with Indian engineering capabilities, ensuring higher indigenous content in future variants.

The first AMCA prototype is projected to roll out by 2028, marking a significant leap in India’s aerospace capabilities. The aircraft will incorporate stealth design features, advanced avionics, sensor fusion, and super-cruise-capable engines—placing India among the select group of nations developing fifth-generation fighter technology.

In a policy shift, the government has decided to open engine and aircraft production contracts to private industry, reducing dependency on Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This approach is intended to accelerate production timelines, enhance competition, and broaden the country’s defence manufacturing base.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration continues to emphasise Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing, encouraging global OEMs to establish joint ventures with Indian partners.

By investing in indigenous and collaborative propulsion programs, India aims not only to equip its future air fleet but to position itself as a leading Aerospace hub capable of exporting advanced engine technologies in the long term.

($1 = 87.9462 Indian rupees)