According to the Indian Express and Economic Times, on the 23rd, Indian officials revealed that after purchasing the Rafale fighter jets from France, India is now preparing to launch another defense cooperation with France: the joint development of a new engine for India's indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet. Indian media said this cooperation will enhance the strategic partnership between India and France.
The report said that the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India will soon submit an application to the Cabinet Committee on Security to achieve a collaboration with Safran Group of France. It is reported that Safran Group will provide complete technology transfer to India, designing, developing, testing, certifying, and producing a new engine with a thrust of 120 kN. An official said: "The DRDO has approved Safran Group's proposal, considering it as the best choice for the power system of the twin-engine fifth-generation fighter aircraft AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft). Safran Group has already produced various helicopter engines in India. This project will be carried out in collaboration with DRDO's gas turbine research institution, costing nearly $7 billion."
On the 22nd, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also confirmed this upcoming project. "We have taken measures to promote the production of the fifth-generation fighter jet. We have also started the production of the aircraft's engine in India. We are about to start the engine manufacturing work in India in collaboration with Safran Group," Singh said.
Indian media said that India has long been unable to manufacture reliable advanced aero engines, which has been a major obstacle for India's indigenous fighter jet projects. Previously, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had ordered a batch of GE-F404 engines from General Electric of the United States, but they were not delivered on time, which also affected the production schedule of the indigenous 'Tejas' MK-1A fighter jet.
According to news from New Delhi Television and U.S. defense blogs, on the 20th, the Indian government approved the purchase of 97 'Tejas' Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF), with the transaction valued at $7.4 billion, aiming to strengthen India's indigenous defense manufacturing industry and expand its fighter jet fleet.
Chen Jia
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7542184894806409768/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author. Please express your attitude by clicking on the [Up/Down] buttons below.