India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is confronting significant challenges in scaling up advanced jet engine manufacturing, despite a landmark technology transfer agreement with French aerospace major Safran. The partnership, approved in 2025, involves complete transfer of critical technologies, including advanced single-crystal turbine blade technology essential for high-performance engines. Key hurdles persist in mastering sophisticated manufacturing processes such as single crystal superalloy casting, precision investment casting, advanced thermal barrier coatings, and micro-machining cooling passageways, which require infrastructure and expertise currently limited in India. The collaboration aims to develop nine engine prototypes over 12 years, with initial thrust of 120 kN potentially scaling to 140 kN to power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This strategic partnership ensures Indian intellectual property ownership, marking a pivotal step toward self-reliance and enhanced indigenous aerospace capability. Safran’s long-standing presence and collaboration in India underscore a deepening of Indo-French defense ties, complementing India’s broader efforts to overcome previous setbacks from the Kaveri engine project and establish a sovereign aerospace ecosystem capable of supporting future strategic needs. The project aligns with government policies favoring domestic defense manufacturing and reduced import dependency.