India Stealth Fighter Jet AMCA Project: India’s most ambitious defense program ‘Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft’ A major obstacle has emerged in the construction of (AMCA). There has been a huge increase in the prices of the American engine selected for the country’s first indigenous 5th Generation stealth fighter aircraft.
According to sources, the cost of American company GE Aerospace’s F414 engine has increased by almost three times the earlier estimate. Due to this sudden financial challenge, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has now started looking for other engine options.
Why is F414 engine necessary for AMCA Mk1?
AMCA is India’s state-of-the-art 5th generation indigenous stealth fighter aircraft, which is being developed to attack in depth by evading enemy radar. GE’s F414-INS6 engine was chosen for an early version of the aircraft, called AMCA Mk1.
This engine was initially destined for 2 to 4 squadrons (approximately 60 to 70 aircraft). This aircraft includes modern features like low radar detection, long range fast flight and internal weapons.
Rising costs and prototyping issues
The rise in engine prices has increased the concerns of DRDO and the Defense Ministry. Earlier the estimated price of an F414 engine was around Rs 70 to 80 crores, but now this cost has increased significantly. Currently the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is negotiating the purchase of 15 engines for the construction of five AMCA prototypes.
Since the AMCA is a twin-engine aircraft, each prototype required two operational and one spare engine. The Defense Ministry has also issued tender to big private companies like Tata and Larsen & Toubro for manufacturing these prototypes.
Reason for increase in prices and indigenous production
According to experts, rising inflation in the defense sector and global supply chain crisis are the main reasons behind this price increase. Production costs have also increased due to shortage of specialized raw materials and parts in the aerospace sector. However, a technical agreement has been signed between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the first ‘Made in India‘ The aim is to develop F414 engine, which will be used in LCA Mk2 aircraft. For this, GE has demanded about Rs 6,000 crore for setting up an assembly line in India.
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Amidst the rising cost of American engines, India also has other attractive options. French company Safran and Britain’s Rolls-Royce have offered 100 percent technology transfer (ToT) and IP rights to India. India’s priority now is to develop engines for AMCA Mk2 that are more powerful and based on indigenous technology, so that dependence on foreign engines can be completely eliminated in future.
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