India closes in on its first homegrown fighter jet engine

India's Safran–DRDO engine joint venture proposal is before the Cabinet Committee on Security, expected to be cleared before August 15, 2026.

The new engine will have 120 kN thrust initially, with nine prototypes, and an uprated 140 kN version for future fifth- and sixth-generation fighters.

India will retain 100% intellectual property on the engine, breaking dependence on Russia and France.

Tata, Bharat Forge, and Larsen & Toubro have been shortlisted to build the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) airframe.