India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has unveiled plans for a next-generation 110kN indigenous fighter engine that will power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) while serving as the foundation for more powerful future variants.
GTRE has confirmed that the engine will feature a modular, upgradeable core architecture, enabling thrust enhancements from 125kN to 145kN. These higher-thrust versions are expected to support the development of a heavy-class sixth-generation fighter that could eventually replace the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fleet between 2045 and 2050.
Designed specifically for the AMCA, the 110kN engine aims to deliver capabilities such as supercruise, allowing sustained supersonic flight without afterburners, while meeting the performance requirements of a stealth fighter. The AMCA, being jointly developed by DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), will initially fly with General Electric F414 engines before transitioning to the indigenous powerplant later in the programme.
The development of the domestic engine represents a major milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in advanced aero-engine technology, with GTRE targeting operational readiness in the early 2030s.
A defining feature of the programme is its scalable design philosophy. According to GTRE, the engine’s core will be engineered to accommodate future performance upgrades without requiring an entirely new powerplant. This approach will allow India to evolve the engine family to support future combat aircraft with greater payload capacity, range, and mission capability.
The long-term vision aligns closely with the Indian Air Force’s future modernization plans. Although the Su-30MKI fleet will continue to serve for decades, supported by the ongoing Super Sukhoi modernization programme featuring upgrades such as the Virupaksha AESA radar and Astra MkIII missile, a next-generation replacement will eventually be required.
GTRE intends to leverage the AMCA engine’s technological foundation to develop a 120kN-145kN class powerplant suitable for a future sixth-generation fighter incorporating advanced stealth technologies, artificial intelligence, network-centric warfare, and potentially directed-energy weapon systems.
