(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
India to Manufacture Fighter Jet Engines with French Collaboration: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
August 23, 2025
BENGALURU: India has announced plans to manufacture advanced aircraft engines within the country in collaboration with a French aerospace company, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed on Friday.
The initiative marks a major step in boosting India’s self-reliance in defence technology. Earlier this year, Singh approved the prototype of the nation’s first 5th-generation stealth fighter jet — the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — describing it as a milestone in strengthening indigenous defence capabilities.
Speaking at a defence 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.”
While the minister did not disclose the company’s name, Indian media widely reported it to be Safran, which has decades of experience in the country’s aviation and defence sectors.
India, one of the world’s largest defence markets, has placed strong emphasis on modernising its armed forces while reducing reliance on imports. The government has set a target of awarding $100 billion worth of domestic defence contracts by 2033 to accelerate local manufacturing.
In recent years, New Delhi has launched a series of ambitious projects — from its first indigenously made aircraft carrier and submarines to a long-range hypersonic missile test. The country has also inaugurated a major helicopter production facility and expanded partnerships with global defence leaders.
India has deepened strategic cooperation with several countries, including the United States, Japan, Australia, and France. In April 2025, New Delhi signed a multi-billion-dollar agreement to procure 26 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation, adding to the 36 already in service. These new aircraft are expected to replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet.
The collaboration on jet engine production is expected to strengthen India’s aerospace industry, create high-skilled jobs, and support the government’s broader vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) in defence manufacturing.
