JUNE DAY 14 - UPSC DAW - Daily Answer Writing - 20th June 2025

JUNE DAY 14 - UPSC DAW - Daily Answer Writing - 20th June 2025

Question

Despite decades of effort, India continues to remain dependent on foreign propulsion systems for its military platforms. In this context, examine the strategic importance of indigenous aircraft engine development and the key challenges impeding self-reliance in this domain. (10 marks, 150 words)  [GS III - Technology]

Model Answer

Paper  

GS III 

Subject 

Technology 

Topic 

Indigenous aircraft engine development- need and import dependency 

Syllabus As Per Notification 

Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology; Indigenization of Technology and Developing New Technology. 

 Introduction:  

  • Indigenous aircraft engine development is a cornerstone of strategic autonomy and defence self-reliance. Despite significant achievements in airframe and avionics, India remains critically dependent on foreign propulsion systems, affecting not just operational readiness but also export capabilities and national security. 

 Strategic Importance of Indigenous Engine Development: 

  •  Combat Readiness and Strategic Autonomy:  

  • Jet engines constitute nearly 30–35% of a fighter aircraft's cost and are vital to performance parameters like thrust-to-weight ratio, endurance, and super cruise.  

  • Without domestic capability, India’s air power remains vulnerable to external sanctions, supply disruptions, and technology denial regimes. 

  • Export Potential and Global Standing: 

  • Indigenous engines will enhance India’s defence export capability under the Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020, avoiding third-party clearances, as mandated by source countries like the U.S. for GE engines. 

  • Cross-Domain Applications: 

  • Engine tech is dual-use - relevant for tanks, warships, UAVs, and space launch vehicles, with spillovers into civilian sectors like transportation and energy. 

  • Geopolitical Deterrence: 

  • Self-reliant propulsion supports credible deterrence in a volatile neighbourhood. For example, China’s WS-10 engine enables full independence in its J-series fighter platforms. 

 Key Challenges Impeding Self-Reliance: 

  • Technological Complexity and R&D Ecosystem Gaps: 

  • Jet engines operate under extreme temperature, pressure, and stress conditions, demanding expertise in metallurgy, materials science, and fluid dynamics. 

  • India lacks single-crystal blade manufacturing, thermal barrier coatings, and directionally solidified materials, technologies guarded by global leaders (e.g., GE, Safran, Rolls-Royce). 

  • Institutional Fragmentation and Political Bottlenecks: 

  • Multiple agencies like DRDO-GTRE, HAL, and ADA work in silos with limited private sector integration. 

  • The Kaveri engine project (GTX-35VS), launched in 1989, consumed ₹2,032 crore (CAG 2020) but failed to meet required thrust benchmarks, highlighting management and accountability deficits. 

  • Import Dependency and Geopolitical Risks: 

  • Delays in GE F404 engine deliveries for the Tejas Mk1A (13 months late) stalled HAL production lines, weakening IAF combat squadron strength (currently at ~30 vs sanctioned 42.5). 

  • Intellectual Property and Technology Denial: 

  • Ongoing negotiations for GE F414 engines (for Tejas Mk2 and AMCA Mk1) face hurdles as GE refuses full ToT (Transfer of Technology) for critical engine components, citing proprietary restrictions.   

 Way Forward:  

  • Strategic Mission Approach: Establish an India Jet Engine Mission (IJEM) akin to the ISRO model, integrating academia (IITs), DRDO, private firms, and global partners through a unified framework. 

  • Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourage Tier-I Indian private firms like Godrej Aerospace, L&T Defence, and Bharat Forge to develop subsystems under Make-I and SPV routes of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. 

  • Global Collaboration with IP Leverage: Re-engage with Safran (France) or Rolls-Royce (UK) for co-development, ensuring joint IP rights. Use offset clauses in mega defence deals (e.g., Rafale) to secure tech transfer. 

  • Long-Term Funding and Policy Reforms: Shift from fragmented short-term budgeting to mission-mode long-cycle investments with dedicated corpus under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and SPARK framework. 

  • NITI Aayog Recommendations: As per NITI Aayog’s Strategy for New India @75, India must prioritize core technologies like propulsion, AI, and quantum computing to achieve defence self-sufficiency.  

 Conclusion:  

  • Indigenous aircraft engine capability is not a luxury but a necessity for India’s long-term security, strategic autonomy, and defence industrial resilience. The failure of the Marut and the Kaveri projects should serve as catalysts for urgent reforms, not reasons for retreat. A clear national vision, backed by strong institutional capacity and industry-academia linkages, is essential to close the propulsion gap and truly realise the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence.  

  Value Addition:  

Key Terms / Reports 

Relevance 

GTRE 

DRDO lab developing Kaveri engine 

GE F404 / F414 

Imported engines powering LCA Mk1 and Mk2 

Safran (France) 

Partner in failed Kaveri revival; potential AMCA co-developer 

ISRO Cryogenic Engine Program 

Model of indigenous propulsion success 

CAG Report (2020) 

Critique of Kaveri programme delays and cost overruns 

NITI Aayog New India @75 

Emphasises indigenisation in critical defence tech 

Kalam Committee (1990s) 

Recommended indigenous engine development 

China’s WS-10A Taihang engine 

Indigenous engine for PLA fighters, example of success in Asia