India’s Ambassador to France, Jawed Ashraf, has said the fighter jet engine manufacturer Safran has expressed its willingness to engage in a 100% transfer of technology (ToT) across various phases of the project.
Jawed said the discussion is going on between India and Safran regarding the Shakti jet engine deal.
As per reports, the primary focus of the deliberations is to align the specifications of the engine with India’s future fighter jet requirements.
Ambassador Ashraf said that the India is looking for a comprehensive approach in terms of tech transfer, which goes beyond just the transfer of manufacturing technology.
The deal aims to delve into the actual design phase, metallurgical aspects, and other critical elements that contribute to the development of advanced jet engines.
Safran, a key player in the aerospace industry, has expressed its willingness to engage in a 100% transfer of technology across various phases of the project, including design development, certification, and production.
However, Ambassador Ashraf acknowledged navigating the complexities of the deal requires aligning the discussions with India’s overall future defense requirements.
The Ambassador highlighted that these discussions will continue to take place as part of the defense industry roadmap.
In July 2023, India and France decided to extend their defense cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.
They also agreed to support industrial cooperation for the motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter (IMRH) program with Safran Helicopter Engine.
The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
Earlier in April 2023, the Chairman of Safran, Ross McInnes, discussed a technological partnership in defense and space with PM Modi.
Also, Safran Helicopter Engines and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) have signed a workshare agreement for the joint development of the engine intended for the future Indian MultiRole Helicopter (IMRH).
Noteworthy, Safran is a French multinational company that designs, develops, and manufactures aircraft engines, rocket engines, and various aerospace and defense-related equipment.
