The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman Samir Kamat said that the first flight of Phase-1 AMCA with the American GE-F414 engine will happen after seven years. The induction will take another three years, extending the timeline further to the 2032-2033 timeframe.
The timeline for Phase-2 of AMCA, Kamat said, could only be predicted after the partner for the co-development of the new higher-thrust engine is selected.
DRDO has been discussing with Safran France, GE from the US, and Rolls Royce from the UK to forge a partnership for the co-development of the higher thrust engine.
The DRDO chief also said that the Tejas MK-2 will be ready for induction by 2028. Tejas MK-2 will use the same American GE F414 engines that will be used by AMCA Phase-1.
About the local manufacturing of the GE engines, Kamat said that “the discussions with GE are underway and they are keen on it. We are just awaiting clearance by the US government.” He said the engines would be manufactured indigenously once the clearance comes through from the US government.
Kamat also said that “in the next 3-6 months, an announcement of the transfer of technology will happen and these engines would be made in the country itself”.
