An important development has come to light regarding India's ambitious fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program. After the huge increase in the price of American company GE Aerospace's F414 engine, the Defense Research and Development Organization is now seriously considering alternative engine options.
According to sources, the price of F414 engine has increased by almost three times compared to before. Earlier the price of one engine was said to be around Rs 70 to 80 crores, but now its cost has increased significantly. For this reason, DRDO is reconsidering its plan to completely depend on American engines.
AMCA is India's indigenous stealth fifth generation stealth fighter aircraft. This will be a modern twin-engine fighter jet, which is being developed to attack deep into enemy territory and gain an edge in air combat. Its features include low radar detection, supercruise capability and facility to keep weapons inside the aircraft.
Currently, GE's F414-INS6 engine has been selected for the AMCA Mk1, the initial version of the AMCA. There is a plan to power initially 60 to 70 fighter planes with this engine, until India's own more powerful engine is ready. A total of 15 engines will be required for AMCA's five prototype aircraft. Two engines will be installed in each aircraft and an additional engine will be kept as reserve.
This development has come to light at a time when a technical agreement was signed between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace just a few months ago. Both parties are currently in commercial talks regarding the F414-INS6 engine. According to sources, HAL and ADA are holding talks at different levels as the requirements of both the programs are different. While HAL is negotiating engines for the LCA Mk2 programme, ADA is negotiating for the AMCA project.
However, GE is also planning to set up an assembly line of F414 engines in India. For this the company has stated the need for an investment of about Rs 6,000 crore. These engines are proposed to be manufactured at HAL's Bangalore plant. HAL aims to produce the first 'Made in India' F414 engine by 2029, which will be used in the LCA Mk2 fighter aircraft.
Meanwhile, France and Britain have entered the field to compete with America's GE. Whose offer is many times more beneficial than America's GE Aerospace. France's Safran, Britain's Rolls-Royce and American company GE have given their engine proposals to DRDO. Safran and Rolls-Royce have offered 100 percent transfer of technology (ToT) and Intellectual Property Rights.
Along with this, the Defense Ministry has issued tender to three groups of private companies to make five prototypes of AMCA. These include L&T-BEL, Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge-Bemal. According to the plan, the first AMCA prototype will have to be flown within 30 months of the signing of the contract. After this, a target has been set to complete a total of 1,800 test flights with the five aircraft in 84 months. Amid rising engine prices, it will now be important to see whether India goes ahead with American engines for AMCA or goes ahead with the plan and gives importance to other options.
