India is set to start producing fighter jet engines on its own soil in partnership with a French company, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced Friday.
The move is tied to India’s efforts to build its own fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a project Singh approved in May. At the time, he called it a major step toward boosting the country’s homegrown defence technology.
Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, Singh said, “We are moving forward to manufacture aircraft engines in India itself. We are collaborating with a French company to start engine production in India.”
He did not reveal the company’s name, but Indian media widely reported it to be Safran, a French aerospace firm that has long been active in India. There has been no official confirmation so far.
India remains one of the world’s biggest arms importers but has been pushing hard to strengthen its domestic defence industry. In recent years, New Delhi has deepened ties with Western countries, particularly through the Quad security alliance with the United States, Japan and Australia.
Just last April, India signed a multi-billion-dollar deal to buy 26 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. The new aircraft will replace Russian-made MiG-29Ks and join 36 Rafales already in India’s fleet.
Singh has pledged at least $100 billion in new contracts for locally made military equipment by 2033, a plan aimed at giving a major boost to the country’s arms industry.
The past decade has already seen major milestones: India has launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier, opened a new helicopter factory, rolled out warships and submarines, and tested a long-range hypersonic missile.
The country’s growing focus on defence comes amid tensions with neighbors, particularly Pakistan. In May, the two nations were locked in their most serious standoff since the 1999 Kargil conflict.
