HAL’s Tejas Mk2 Set to Get French Power Boost with Safran Engine Collaboration

Bengaluru: India’s ambitious fighter jet program is getting a major push as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) moves forward with plans to equip the upcoming Tejas Mk2 with advanced engines developed in collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran. The partnership aims to overcome persistent engine supply delays and strengthen India’s push for defence self-reliance.

The Tejas Mk2 is a 4.5-generation multirole combat aircraft designed to replace aging Indian Air Force (IAF) fleets. Currently, the IAF operates just 31 fighter squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42 — a shortfall that became more urgent following the post-Operation Sindoor strategic doctrine shift, which eliminated the distinction between state and non-state threats.

While HAL’s earlier Tejas Mk-1 and Mk-1A variants rely on GE Aerospace’s F404 and F414 engines, slow deliveries from the U.S. supplier have impacted production timelines. As of March 2025, only one of the 99 contracted GE F414 engines had been delivered, despite a ₹48,000 crore order placed in 2021 for 83 Mk-1A jets.

At the Aero India 2025 show in Bengaluru, IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh highlighted the urgency of addressing engine supply gaps, noting that they remain the key bottleneck to timely induction of Tejas jets.

The new HAL–Safran collaboration could potentially power both the Tejas Mk2 and the future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — part of India’s long-term plan to localize next-gen fighter jet engines. Safran’s expertise, coupled with existing joint ventures like Safran Helicopter Engines Pvt Ltd, could accelerate indigenous development and production.

This deal also revives India’s goal of domestic engine manufacturing, an effort that began with the now-defunct Kaveri engine project by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). With Safran’s advanced R&D capabilities, the partnership is expected to bring more reliable and powerful engine options for India’s 17.5-tonne Tejas Mk2, helping to modernize the IAF’s fleet and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

If successful, the HAL-Safran agreement will mark a milestone in India’s journey toward defence manufacturing autonomy — with ripple effects across its broader aerospace ecosystem.