Rolls-Royce, Safran in race to co-develop engines for India's 5th-Gen fighter jets: Report

The DRDO may soon collaborate with foreign players to co-develop aircraft engines for India’s fifth-generation fighter jet project, an Indian Express report said on Friday.

The report states that France’s Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce are among the main contenders for the project. Citing a senior official, the report further adds that a Cabinet Note will soon be prepared by the DRDO regarding the matter.

Engine technology has been a key factor in aircraft manufacturing in India, and the report says the Centre is actively looking to resolve this issue. The Indian Express report also mentions that both Rolls-Royce and Safran have made an offer to the DRDO for the full spectrum of aircraft engine development.

This includes the setting up of a Gas Turbine Research Establishment lab. Both companies are also offering full IPR and Transfer of Technology (ToT), the report adds.

Persistent delays in the supply of engines for the Tejas combat jet have made India acutely aware of how engine technology can be a key constraint. India has faced delays in the supply of the F404-IN20 engine, manufactured by GE Aerospace.

These engines are at the heart of Hindustan Aeronautics’ Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fighter jet production. The delays have been attributed to the American company’s struggle to revive its downstream supply chains, which were hampered due to the COVID-19 pandemic.