India has partnered with a French defense company to co-develop and manufacture fighter jet engines domestically, according to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. The initiative is part of a larger effort to bolster India’s self-reliance in advanced defense technologies.
In May, New Delhi approved the prototype of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which Singh described as a major milestone in strengthening indigenous capabilities. The program is expected to serve as a cornerstone of India’s future air combat power.
The announcement comes shortly after India signed a multi-billion-dollar deal in April to procure 26 Rafale fighters from Dassault Aviation. These aircraft will join the 36 Rafales already in service and are set to replace the Russian-made MiG-29K fleet.
Singh also highlighted India’s long-term defense roadmap, promising $100 billion worth of domestic defense contracts by 2033 to drive local production. Over the past decade, India has rolled out a series of achievements, including the commissioning of its first indigenous aircraft carrier, new submarines and warships, a helicopter manufacturing facility, and even a successful long-range hypersonic missile test.
