India is firmly on the path to self-reliance in defence and is even looking to export fighter jet engines in the future, defence minister Rajnath Singh said at a summit themed India Unstoppable.
The minister said he has directed officials to look at all possible collaboration opportunities to make India self-reliant. He referred to the engine manufacturing agreement between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics for the GE 414 engine that will power future variants of the light combat aircraft (LCA).
He added that he has directed the Defence Research and Development Organisation to explore more such possibilities with Safran from France as well as the UK. “I have asked them to see what all can be made in India and which nations are ready to transfer technology. We have had enough of imports. We want India to be an exporter when it comes to engines,” he said.
He said the government has taken steps to ensure that even after they leave service, Aginveers have a secure future and assured that if any changes are needed, room is open for reforms. “If a need is felt, we can bring changes and reforms in the scheme,” he said.