Why India should address its propulsion gap, Pg12

Context:

• India's ambitious fighter jet programmes like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Tejas LCA face a persistent obstacle: dependence on foreign jet engines. 
• Historical failures (e.g., HF-24 Marut and Kaveri engine) and current delays in engine deliveries have underlined the strategic and operational vulnerabilities caused by the propulsion gap.

Key Highlights:

• The HF-24 Marut, India’s first indigenously developed fighter jet, failed to perform optimally due to inadequate engine power, not design flaws.
• The Kaveri engine project, initiated in 1989, failed to meet thrust and reliability benchmarks despite ₹2,000+ crore in expenditure.
• India continues to depend on foreign engines like the U.S.-made GE F404 and F414 for its LCA variants and AMCA prototypes.
• Delays in engine delivery have impacted production timelines and operational readiness of the LCA Mk1A fleet.
• Other defence services like the Army (Arjun MBT) and Navy (frigates, destroyers, corvettes) also rely heavily on imported propulsion systems.

Detailed Insights:

1. HF-24 Marut: A Case Study in Engine Dependency

• Designed by Kurt Tank and inducted in the late 1960s.
• The aircraft was underpowered due to the Orpheus 703 turbojets, which were never upgraded.
• Proved effective in ground-attack roles during the 1971 war, but was eventually phased out due to engine limitations.

2. Kaveri Engine: A Stalled Indigenous Dream

• Started in 1989 by GTRE (DRDO) for the Tejas LCA.
• Produced 9 prototypes but failed ground and flight tests.
• Lacked sufficient thrust-to-weight ratio, thermal stability, and sustained performance.
• A proposed revival with France’s Snecma/Safran under the Rafale offset agreement also failed due to DRDO’s reluctance and lack of clear cooperation models.

3. Cross-Service Engine Dependency

• Army: Arjun MBT uses German MTU diesel engines; Zorawar light tank uses a U.S. Cummins engine.
• Navy: All major platforms depend on Russian, French, German or American engines, despite being indigenously built.

Strategic Implications:

• Delays in airpower modernization hurt IAF’s war readiness.
• Export potential is restricted due to third-party approval requirements for engines.
• Reliance on external tech compromises strategic autonomy and leaves India vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.
• Global powers like the U.S., China, and France are aerospace leaders because of their indigenous engine capabilities.

Recommendations:

• Long-Term Defence Planning: Move from short-term procurement to sustained investment in engine R&D.
• Public-Private Partnership: Create an engine innovation ecosystem involving private sector, DRDO, academia, and foreign partners.
• Technology Transfer Diplomacy: Prioritize realistic offsets and deeper co-development models rather than total ToT demands.