Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pitches indigenous aero-engine capability for AMCA

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) called for building indigenous aero-engine capabilities as a critical component of India’s ambition to develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), stressing that self-reliance in aerospace cannot be achieved without mastering propulsion technology.

Speaking at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Koraput division, where he witnessed the delivery of the 2,000th aero-engine, Mr. Singh highlighted a proposed investment of around ₹5,000 crore for developing indigenous aero-engine capabilities for the AMCA programme.

He also underlined the planned indigenisation of raw materials in partnership with Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) and establishment of India’s first indigenous high-thrust engine testing facility. “The efforts being made in partnership with MIDHANI towards the indigenisation of raw materials are equally important. The establishment of India’s first high-thrust engine testing facility using indigenous expertise is also, I believe, a very important step,” said the Defence Minister.

Emphasising that advanced airframes, radars, weapons and avionics could not realise their full potential without reliable propulsion, Mr. Singh said, “The aero-engine is the heart of an aircraft.” He said India needed expertise in precision manufacturing, advanced materials, metallurgy, cooling technologies, testing and quality assurance to develop a sovereign aerospace ecosystem.

The Minister’s remarks come as India is seeking to build domestic capability for the propulsion requirements of the AMCA, the country’s planned fifth-generation fighter aircraft. He said the ecosystem would have to cover the entire chain, from critical materials and design to manufacturing, testing and maintenance, repair and overhaul.