Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pitches indigenous aero-engine capability for AMCA
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the need for indigenous aero-engine development to support India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. He announced significant investments in engine production and testing facilities to achieve self-reliance in aerospace.
Why it matters
This is a strategic move to reduce India's dependence on foreign technology for critical defense assets and bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities.
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.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in