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.
Singh also announced measures to expand existing engine production. 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. Emphasising that advanced airframes, radars, weapons and avionics could not realise their full potential without reliable propulsion, Mr. The Minister’s remarks come as India is seeking to build domestic capability for the propulsion requirements of the AMCA, the country’s planned fifth-generation fighter aircraft. At Koraput, Mr.
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. HAL will increase annual production of AL-31FP engines from 30 to 50 with an investment of ₹335 crore. The company is executing an order for 240 AL-31FP engines for the Su-30MKI placed by the Defence Ministry in 2024. Despite global supply-chain disruptions and raw-material challenges, HAL has delivered 63 engines against a target of 60 by the end of the second year of the contract, the Ministry said.
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. Singh said, “The aero-engine is the heart of an aircraft. He said India needed expertise in precision manufacturing, advanced materials, metallurgy, cooling technologies, testing and quality assurance to develop a sovereign aerospace ecosystem. He said the ecosystem would have to cover the entire chain, from critical materials and design to manufacturing, testing and maintenance, repair and overhaul.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was present on the occasion. Appreciating the initiatives of the Odisha Government, Defence Minister highlighted the approval for an Aerospace and Defence Equipment Manufacturing Complex at Gajamara in Dhenkanal district.
