India is entering a new era of aerospace dominance with the ambitious development of the 6th-Generation Engine for the AMCA MK-2, a cutting-edge propulsion system tailored for the nation’s most advanced stealth fighter. This indigenous jet engine isn’t just a technical marvel—it’s a bold statement of India’s strategic self-reliance in aerospace technology. Designed to deliver supercruise capability, thrust vectoring, and adaptive cycle features, this next-gen engine will power the AMCA Mk2 into the future of air combat, competing with elite global platforms.
With this initiative, India aims to join the exclusive ranks of countries like the US, Russia, and China that possess homegrown sixth-generation jet engine technology. More than just powering aircraft, this project represents a leap toward a self-reliant defence ecosystem, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ visions. As the backbone of India’s next-generation fighter aircraft program, the engine is expected to redefine performance benchmarks, stealth integration, and mission adaptability in contested airspace.
The Heart of India’s Air Superiority: 6th-Generation Engine for the AMCA MK-2
At the core of India’s ambitious stealth fighter program lies the 6th-generation engine for the AMCA MK-2, a revolutionary propulsion system built not just for raw thrust but for total mission dominance. Engineered with next-gen capabilities like adaptive cycle technology, supercruise performance, and thrust vectoring control, this futuristic powerplant aims to give the Indian Air Force a decisive edge in speed, stealth, and aerial agility.
This is more than just a jet engine — it’s the beating heart of India’s air superiority strategy for the next three decades.
AMCA MK-2 Engine Development: A Historic Leap for India’s Jet Engine Program
The AMCA Mk2 engine development marks a turning point in India’s aerospace evolution. Unlike legacy fighter engines, this next-generation Indian propulsion system is being tailored for sustained supercruise flight, reduced thermal signature, and a high thrust-to-weight ratio — all critical benchmarks for a 6th-generation combat aircraft.
This indigenous engine program is not just about keeping up — it’s about leading. It reflects India’s broader push for strategic autonomy in aerospace technologies and strengthens its positioning among future air power leaders.
Collaboration Meets Innovation: Building an Indigenous 6th-Generation Jet Engine
Bringing such an engine to life is no solo mission. India’s push for an indigenous 6th-generation fighter jet engine is being accelerated by strategic global partnerships. One standout is the DRDO-Safran collaboration, which merges Indian engineering with French propulsion expertise for the AMCA Mk2.
Additionally, ongoing Rolls-Royce fighter engine talks with India suggest another layer of knowledge exchange, ensuring that India leverages the best global practices while retaining sovereign control over its defence technology.
AMCA MK-2 Powerplant and Propulsion: What Makes It Unique?
What sets the AMCA Mk2 propulsion system apart from its contemporaries is its intelligence. This adaptive cycle engine can modify airflow and thrust output based on mission demands, delivering both high-speed interception and low-speed stealth approaches in hostile environments.
Its development also fits squarely into India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, pushing for localised production, indigenous testing, and long-term sustainment within Indian aerospace hubs like GTRE and ADA.
AMCA Engine Specs & Supercruise: Redefining Future Air Combat
The upcoming AMCA engine specifications are expected to challenge even the best in class. Capable of supercruise, the engine allows India’s fifth-gen-plus fighters to fly at supersonic speeds without afterburners, dramatically improving fuel efficiency and reducing infrared signature — both essential in modern dogfights and deep-strike missions.
This next-gen engine won’t just power jets — it will power a doctrine shift in how India conducts air operations across contested skies.
AMCA MK-2 Engine vs Global Fighter Jets — Power, Thrust & Stealth Compared!
India’s 6th-generation engine for the AMCA MK-2 is poised to reshape the future of air combat. To understand its significance, it’s important to compare it with the world’s most advanced fighter engines powering jets like the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Lightning II, and Su-57 Felon.
While the F-22 and Su-57 are twin-engine 5th-gen fighters and the F-35 is a single-engine multirole platform, the AMCA MK-2 is being developed as a twin-engine stealth fighter equipped with an adaptive cycle engine — a leap ahead into 6th-generation propulsion.
In terms of thrust, the AMCA MK-2 engine is expected to produce around 110 to 130 kN with afterburner per engine, competitive with the Su-57’s Saturn Izdeliye 30 (~180 kN) and the F-22’s F119 (~156 kN). While the F-35’s F135 offers a powerful 191 kN thrust, it’s optimised for single-engine operation and vertical lift, not twin-engine stealth missions.
Where the AMCA engine stands out is in its supercruise capabilities. Designed to fly at speeds above Mach 1.8 without using afterburners, it matches or exceeds the F-22’s Mach 1.8 and outpaces the F-35 and Su-57, both of which max out around Mach 1.6 in supercruise mode.
Another game-changing feature is its advanced 3D thrust vectoring, enabling superior agility, especially in close-combat dogfights. While the Su-57 and F-22 also use thrust vectoring, India’s adaptive approach aims to deliver higher efficiency across altitudes and mission profiles.
Stealth-wise, the AMCA MK-2 engine will be integrated into an airframe optimised for radar absorption and reduced infrared signature, offering high survivability in hostile environments, on par with Western stealth platforms.
Technology Transfer: Paving the Way for Indigenous Engine Mastery
One of the strongest backbones of the AMCA MK-2 propulsion project is technology transfer. Through its partnership with Safran of France, DRDO is gaining deep insights into thermal management, compressor-blade technology, digital engine control systems, and adaptive engine behaviour.
Discussions with Rolls-Royce for co-development further underscore India’s commitment to mastering critical propulsion systems. These collaborations are crucial for building an indigenous jet engine ecosystem, reducing import dependence, and empowering local R&D teams to innovate independently.
AMCA Next-Gen Engine: Beyond Just One Jet
The AMCA MK-2 engine isn’t a one-off development — it’s the foundation of India’s future military aviation strategy. Designed with scalability in mind, this next-gen engine could power a wide range of platforms beyond the AMCA, such as future unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), twin-engine heavy fighters, and long-range strike drones.
With its adaptive cycle technology, the engine can shift between high-thrust and fuel-efficient modes, making it suitable for both stealthy deep-strike missions and high-speed interception roles.
Thrust Requirements and the Role of HAL & DRDO
To meet combat aircraft thrust benchmarks, India’s aerospace institutions are pushing boundaries. The AMCA engine development requires precise engineering to maintain a high thrust-to-weight ratio, efficient cooling systems, and a modular architecture for ease of maintenance.
Both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) are working in sync to translate cutting-edge R&D into production-ready engine platforms that meet the IAF’s rigorous performance demands. Their role is central to ensuring that the AMCA MK-2 engine is not only powerful but also reliable under real-world combat conditions.
AMCA MK-2 Engine: The Core of India’s Future Air Power
The 6th-generation engine for the AMCA MK-2 is more than a technological achievement — it’s a strategic asset. As India prepares to enter a new era of multi-domain warfare, the AMCA program will serve as the cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s modern combat fleet.
From stealth to supercruise, from indigenous manufacturing to international collaboration, the AMCA MK-2 engine reflects a unified vision of India’s aerospace self-reliance and combat readiness. Its success will not only power next-gen jets but also propel India into the elite club of countries with indigenous 6th-generation fighter engine capabilities.
Conclusion: The Future of India’s Sky Dominance
The 6th-generation engine for the AMCA MK-2 isn’t just a technological upgrade — it marks a historic leap in India’s quest for aerospace supremacy and defence self-reliance. With its adaptive cycle design, thrust vectoring, and supercruise capability, this indigenous powerplant is set to propel Indian fighter jets into the next era of combat dominance.
More than just a component, the AMCA MK-2 engine reflects a strategic transformation, where India moves from a technology buyer to a next-generation jet engine developer. With support from global partners like Safran and Rolls-Royce, and the persistent innovation of DRDO and HAL, India is laying the foundation for a robust, self-sustaining defence ecosystem.
As this engine nears prototype testing and eventual induction, India is not only preparing to secure its skies but to claim its place among the world’s top aerospace powers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What makes the 6th-generation engine for the AMCA MK-2 different from earlier Indian fighter jet engines?
The AMCA MK-2 engine introduces next-gen features like adaptive cycle technology, supercruise capability, and 3D thrust vectoring — far surpassing the capabilities of older 4th and 5th-generation Indian fighter engines.
2. Which global aerospace companies are collaborating on India’s AMCA MK-2 engine development?
Safran (France) and Rolls-Royce (UK) are key collaborators with DRDO, assisting in technology transfer, co-development, and performance optimisation for the AMCA’s 6th-generation propulsion system.
3. Will the AMCA MK-2 propulsion system feature supercruise and thrust vectoring?
Yes. The engine is designed for supercruise (sustained supersonic flight without afterburners) and advanced thrust vectoring, offering superior speed and exceptional manoeuvrability in combat.
4. When is India’s indigenous 6th-generation engine for the AMCA expected to be tested?
Under DRDO’s supervision, prototype development is underway. Initial engine tests are aligned with the AMCA Mk2 rollout, targeted between 2032 and 2035.
5. How does AMCA MK-2 engine development support India’s aerospace self-reliance?
By reducing dependence on foreign engine suppliers, this project accelerates India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ missions, creating a foundation for independent military engine design and production.
6. What role does the DRDO-Safran partnership play in shaping India’s future fighter engines?
The DRDO-Safran collaboration brings world-class engineering and propulsion expertise to India, enabling future indigenous stealth fighter engines and boosting India’s capability to design, test, and manufacture engines independently.