India is collaborating with a French company to design and produce fighter jet engines domestically, the defense minister announced.
In May, the minister approved the prototype of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), describing it as a major step forward in strengthening India’s indigenous defense capabilities. Speaking at a conference in New Delhi on Friday, Singh outlined further details of the country’s plans for developing advanced fighter jet engines.
Earlier in April, India signed a multi-billion-dollar agreement to acquire 26 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault Aviation of France. These will add to the 36 Rafales already in service and replace the aging Russian MiG-29K fleet.
Singh also pledged to award at least $100 billion worth of domestic defense contracts by 2033 to accelerate local arms manufacturing. Over the past decade, India has inaugurated a large helicopter factory, commissioned its first home-built aircraft carrier, deployed indigenous warships and submarines, and successfully tested a long-range hypersonic missile.
