Powering India’s AMCA, Will Japan’s XF9-1 Outclass GE F414, Safran M-88 To Boost IAF’s 5th-Gen Fighter: OPED

The Economic Times on August 8 confirmed an earlier Bloomberg report that India is negotiating with aeroengine manufacturers from at least three other countries to jointly develop fighter jet engines.

The exploratory talks are aimed at expanding India’s aeroengine development partnerships beyond the US to quickly plug capability gaps in view of heightened threat perceptions.

On May 30, Bloomberg reported that India was exploring alternatives to the GE F414 engines for powering twin-engine fighter jets currently under development.

Citing a senior Indian official who asked not to be named, the report stated that HAL was considering engine offers from the UK, France, and Japan.

In a statement issued on June 5, 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) clarified: “HAL reiterates that negotiations with GE are on track and progressing well, and that HAL is not in talks with any other company regarding engines for LCA Mk.2. Any information suggesting otherwise is incorrect.”

The HAL denial was cleverly worded. It reiterated HAL’s commitment to using the F414 engine to power the LCA Mk.2, which is a single-engined fighter. The Bloomberg report specifically mentioned twin-engine fighter jets.

Besides the LCA Mk.2, DRDO plans to use the GE F414 as an interim powerplant for the AMCA. An accurate interpretation of the Bloomberg report would be that HAL is looking at alternatives to the GE F414 for powering the AMCA and other future twin-engine fighter jets that the DRDO may develop, such as the TEDBF — Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter.

So, what alternatives to the GE F414 from the UK, France, and Japan is HAL considering?

Rolls-Royce Offer

During a visit by senior Indian MoD officials to the UK in April, the UK’s Rolls-Royce reportedly proposed a partnership with India to co-develop engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), offering full transfer of intellectual property rights to enable India’s ownership of critical engine technology.

The proposal envisages co-design, knowledge transfer, and local manufacturing.

The collaboration would be supported by the UK government under the India-UK Defence Partnership.

To sweeten the offer further, Rolls-Royce also plans to double its supply chain sourcing from India by 2030, fostering job creation and innovation.

Rolls-Royce has reportedly proposed an engine designed to deliver approximately 75 kN of dry thrust (without afterburner) and 110 kN with afterburner, with potential scalability to 120–130 kN for future variants like the AMCA Mk.2.

Rolls-Royce’s proposal reportedly involves developing a range of high-thrust turbofan engines for potential use in transport and civilian aircraft.

French Safran Offer

France’s Safran’s offer is the oldest on the table. In July 2023, the French government reportedly gave a nod to Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture, and certify an engine with India that will power twin-engine advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) and the twin-engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers.

Safran proposes to develop the AMCA engine by enhancing its proven M88 engine. Safran will enhance the M88’s core technology, which produces 50 kN dry and 75 kN with afterburner, to achieve a higher thrust output of approximately 75–80 kN dry and 110–120 kN with afterburner.

Because it leverages proven technology, the engine’s development timeframe can be aligned with the AMCA’s development timeline, with prototypes expected by 2026–27 and first flights by 2028.

Safran’s offer includes full technology transfer, covering critical technologies like single-crystal blades, thermal barrier coatings, and advanced combustors, ensuring India gains indigenous manufacturing and design capabilities.

Safran’s M-88 engine that powers the Rafale at a defence exhibition

This enhanced engine will incorporate new components, such as an improved compressor and afterburner, to meet the AMCA’s performance needs, including supercruise capability.

In addition, the offer includes Safran setting up a centre of excellence in gas turbine technology in India with full design and metallurgical precision software tools.

Japan’s Offer

Japan reportedly made its offer to co-develop an AMCA engine in May.

Unlike the UK and France, Japan does not have an aeroengine manufacturing track record. However, Japan has been actively developing a military fighter jet engine called the IHI XF9-1.

The development is spearheaded by IHI Corporation in collaboration with the Japan Ministry of Defense’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA).

The IHI XF9-1 is a low-bypass afterburning turbofan being developed for Japan’s Mitsubishi F-X (F-3) stealth fighter program, which has since been integrated into the multinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) with the UK (Rolls-Royce) and Italy (Avio-Aero).

The XF9-1 generates 107 kN of dry thrust and 147 kN with afterburner, with potential scalability up to 196 kN for future sixth-generation platforms. It features advanced materials to withstand turbine inlet temperatures of 1,800°C, a slim design for stealth, and thrust-vectoring nozzles for enhanced maneuverability.

The XF9-1 is conceptually advanced, and its potential scalability is very impressive.

Conclusion

HAL’s commitment to the GE F414 engine as the LCA Mk.2 powerplant notwithstanding, it would be in the nation’s interest if HAL were to explore alternatives to the GE F414 as the powerplant, interim or otherwise, for the AMCA.

Both Rolls-Royce and Safran have offered to collaborate with DRDO’s Bengaluru-based GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment) lab and provide full ToT and IPR, the government official said.

The Safran offer is based on proven M88 technology, so it’s less risky. However, it makes one wonder why Safran, even after being hired as consultants, didn’t help GTRE upgrade the Kaveri engine by sharing M88 technology, in which case, GTRE itself could have developed the AMCA engine leveraging Kaveri engine technology.

The proposed Rolls-Royce engine is a bit of a wild card, since it is merely a concept at this point in time. However, Rolls-Royce has upped the ante by offering to co-develop a range of high-thrust turbofan engines for potential use in transport and civilian aircraft.

Japan’s lack of an aeroengine manufacturing track record makes the XF9-1 an underdog amidst the competition. However, it’s interesting to note that the XF9-1 is conceptually advanced. Also, when it comes to the current state of development, the XF9-1 stands out amid the competition.

The XF9-1 has undergone prototype testing (2018), including conceptual design and test flights on the Mitsubishi X-2 Shinshin demonstrator (2016–2018). Research from 2010–2019 focused on high-temperature combustors, lightweight compressors, and stealth-optimized inlet designs.

The big downer is the GCAP partnership. Development progress could easily fall well behind AMCA development timelines due to differing priorities among partner nations, the UK, and France.

• Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst. 
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