India and France are close to concluding a deal, likely in the next couple of months, for the joint development of a 125KN engine for the indigenous fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) under development, according to defence officials.
The collaboration is between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and French engine maker Safran.
“External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar discussed this issue with French Defence Minister Florence Parly during his visit to Paris [last week]. We expect to have an agreement in a month or two,” a defence official said.
In December 2021, speaking at an event after Ms. Parly’s visit to India, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said a major French company will come to India and “make the engine in strategic partnership with an Indian company”.
Last year, the government had informed Parliament that it is proposed to develop indigenous engines for powering aircraft such as the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) variants and AMCA in association with an international engine house.
Parallel progress
The initial design of the AMCA started way back in 2009 and is envisaged as a twin engine stealth aircraft with internal weapons bay , which has been developed for the first time and for which the design is complete, as reported by The Hindu earlier.
Once the agreement is concluded with France, development of the aircraft as well as the engine will progress parallelly to meet the timelines, officials said.
The manufacturing and production of the aircraft is planned through a Special Purpose Vehicle, which will also involve private industry.
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