Why India Should Address Its Propulsion Gap

20 Jun 2025 GS 3 Internal Security
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India’s ambitious fighter jet programmes, like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), are critically hampered by a persistent propulsion gap — a deep reliance on imported engines, which undermines military readiness and strategic autonomy.

The HF-24 Marut Lesson

  • India’s first indigenous jet, the HF-24 Marut (1960s), designed by Kurt Tank, was undermined by weak British-made engines, not design flaws.

  • Marut’s failure due to lack of a suitable indigenous engine set the tone for India’s recurring struggles with propulsion.

Kaveri Engine Setback

  • The Kaveri engine (initiated in 1989 by DRDO’s GTRE for LCA) failed after 30+ years and ₹2032 crore spent:

    • Poor thrust-to-weight ratio and reliability.

    • Multiple unsuccessful revivals, including with Safran and Snecma(French engine-maker.)

    • Never entered operational use.

Continued Foreign Dependence

  • LCA Mk1 uses GE F404-IN20 engines (U.S.) with limited power.

  • India’s engine dependency issues resurfaced recently when GE delayed delivery of 99 F404 engines by 13 months for the upgraded LCA Mk1A — a lighter, more capable variant equipped with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, advanced electronic warfare suites, and mid-air refuelling capability.

  • India signed a $716 million deal for 99 engines, but only received the first in April 2025.

Current & Future Engine Issues

  • HAL’s deal to manufacture GE-F414 engines in India (for LCA Mk2, AMCA Mk1) is stalled over:

    • $500 million extra cost

    • Lack of core tech transfer (e.g., single-crystal blades, thermal coatings).

  • India is also exploring a 110 kN-class engine for AMCA Mk2 via joint ventures, but talks with Safran and Rolls-Royce have made no headway.

Wider Dependence Beyond Air Force

  • Army’s Arjun tanks use German engines.

  • Zorawar Light Tank uses a U.S. engine.

  • Indian Navy relies entirely on foreign propulsion (Russian, Ukrainian, French, U.S.).

Why Indigenous Engine Development Matters

  • Ensures:

    • Strategic autonomy

    • Timely defence production

    • Unhindered exports

    • Reduced foreign dependency

  • Without it, slogans like Atmanirbhar Bharat remain hollow.

What India Needs

  • A long-term, strategic vision

  • Consolidated defence funding

  • Structural reforms integrating:

    • Private sector

    • Academia

    • Defence R&D

  • Strong political commitment to end India’s engine dependency once and for all.

India’s propulsion gap is not just a technological failure, but a strategic vulnerability — closing it is essential to becoming a credible aerospace power.



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