India is making significant strides towards self-reliance in aerospace technology by partnering with France’s Safran to co-develop a 120kN jet engine for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a move that underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous defense capabilities. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced this collaboration, emphasizing the retention of full Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) by India, which will enable the country to design, manufacture, and upgrade the engine independently. The new engine is touted as a 1.5-generation leap over the current M88 engine, incorporating advanced technologies such as a more efficient low-pressure compressor, innovative cooling systems capable of handling higher turbine entry temperatures, and stealthy thrust vectoring capabilities. While the initial design may forego some complex next-generation features to meet production timelines, it is structured for future upgrades, ensuring that India can later incorporate advanced technologies like adaptive cycle engines. This collaboration not only aims to fulfill India’s immediate defense needs but also positions it as a potential global exporter of aerospace technology, with a robust domestic supply chain and manufacturing ecosystem. The ambitious target for defense exports, which has significantly grown over the past decade, aligns with the Make in India initiative, signaling a transformative period for India’s defense sector that prioritizes innovation, strategic autonomy, and global competitiveness, addressing both current security challenges and future aerospace aspirations.