New Delhi: In a significant stride towards self-reliance in defense aviation, India has announced a joint venture with France’s aerospace giant Safran to manufacture advanced jet engines for India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft program. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh revealed the development during an event in Delhi on August 22, 2025, marking a decisive move to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and accelerate indigenous fighter aircraft development.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Singh emphasized that this collaboration represents more than just reducing imports; it aims to create a robust ecosystem where Indian industries—both public and private—develop world-class capabilities. “Our vision of self-reliance in defence is about meeting domestic needs and emerging as a global supplier of high-quality defence products,” he said.
Critical Boost to Indigenous Fighter Programs
The joint manufacturing project will begin engine production in India, filling a vital capability gap that has long challenged indigenous aircraft development. This move is expected to fast-track programs such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter.
Tejas Fighter Orders Signal Growing Indigenous Strength
Mr. Singh also highlighted recent orders for the homegrown Tejas fighter aircraft, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having received orders worth ₹66,000 crore for 97 new aircraft, supplementing an earlier order of 83 aircraft worth ₹48,000 crore. “Our Tejas aircraft stands as a brilliant example of India’s indigenous defence capabilities,” he noted, acknowledging the challenges faced but reaffirming India’s determination to build full fighter aircraft manufacturing capability domestically.
Global Defence Industry Invited to Collaborate
The Defence Minister extended an open invitation to global defence companies to invest and co-produce defence equipment in India, citing the successful Airbus-Tata collaboration on the C295 transport aircraft as a model. “Make in India is not limited to India only. When you Make in India, you make for the world,” he stated.
Strong Message on National Security and Regional Stability
Addressing recent comments by Pakistan’s Army Chief, who compared India’s economy to a “sports car” and Pakistan’s to a “dump truck,” Mr. Singh dismissed the remarks as a revealing admission of Pakistan’s struggles. “If two countries gained independence together, and one built a thriving economy through hard work and vision, while the other remains mired in failure, it is their own doing,” he said.
Reaffirming India’s resolve, Mr. Singh invoked the recent Operation Sindoor—a successful military initiative—to underline that India would not tolerate any illusions about its strength. “Our fighting spirit for defence capability and national honour remains equally strong,” he asserted.
