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In a landmark move under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, India is preparing for a ₹65,400-crore ($7.44 billion) push to design, develop, and produce its own fighter jet engines by 2035. This ambitious initiative aims to end India's long-standing dependence on imported propulsion systems and establish the country as a global aerospace power. According to a Times of Oman report, the plan forms the backbone of India's future defence strategy, targeting complete self-reliance in aircraft propulsion one of the most technologically complex domains in modern military aviation.
The project will fuel the next generation of Indian fighter jets, including the advanced Tejas Mk2, the stealth-capable AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), and various unmanned aerial systems. Over the next decade, India plans to produce around 1,100 indigenous jet engines, marking one of the largest defence manufacturing efforts in the nation's history.
S. V. Ramana Murthy, Director of the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), is spearheading the programme. His team's mission is to create a world-class aerospace ecosystem by bringing together public research bodies, private industry innovators, and global technology partners. "The goal is to make India one of the few nations capable of designing and manufacturing jet engines independently," Murthy stated, underscoring the strategic depth of the mission.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is central to this transformation. It aims to expand its strength to 42 operational squadrons by 2035, powered largely by homegrown fighter jets. This includes roughly 450 new aircraft, many of which are expected to fly with indigenously manufactured engines.
The Tejas Mk2 project stands as the immediate beneficiary of this drive, following the success of the Tejas Mk1. India is already in advanced discussions with General Electric (GE) for technology transfer of its F414 engine, paving the way for Indian engineers to master and domestically replicate high-performance propulsion systems.
India's long-stalled Kaveri engine programme is also being revived as part of this roadmap. Once plagued by technical delays, the upgraded Kaveri is now expected to power upcoming unmanned combat aircraft a key component of India's future air warfare strategy.
Global collaboration remains vital to this mission. Negotiations are underway with France's Safran, Britain's Rolls-Royce, and GE Aviation to co-develop a fifth-generation engine tailored for the AMCA programme. The first AMCA prototype is projected to roll out by 2028, marking a historic milestone for Indian defence manufacturing.
For the first time, private Indian companies will play a direct role in fighter jet engine production. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will share the workload with domestic start-ups and global firms, ensuring higher production efficiency and rapid technology absorption. This integration of private enterprise is expected to create thousands of jobs, boost exports, and encourage innovation in high-end materials, turbine design, and AI-assisted manufacturing.
India's ₹65,400-crore fighter engine initiative represents more than just a technological leap it is a strategic declaration of independence. By 2035, when Indian skies are dominated by jets powered by engines designed and built in India, the country will have moved from being a defence importer to a defence innovator. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Atmanirbhar Bharat is no longer a slogan but a blueprint for transforming India into a global aerospace hub securing both its sovereignty and its future in the era of advanced air warfare.