Why is India going for US engine in AMCA, it would be prone to sanctions any time in future
@ PARIKARAMA
Well some say commonality with LCA Mark 2..
Some say bcz USA/GE will give us engine tech for hot weather and metallurgy..
USA normally does not give anything.. If they give it will be a carrot and stick policy
Carrot: High end tech as you desire like under DTII engine program, EMALs, and what not
Stick: Sign LSA, CISMOA, BECA and try and align India with USA Geo political and strategical thinking
IF i go by K Tamilmani Interview last year he said existing market has few engines which are around 90Kn thrust. AMCA project envisions tie up with an engine maker and take it upward to customised version.
IMHO i wont advocate US engines as i said earlier.. I would rather fund a joint development with Safran for a new M88 family engine or name it something new...
My simple reasoning being LCAs will see how many GE 414 uses..? Say 100 more LCA with 414 power plant and add say 40-50 naval variant so about 150 Engines and another 150 Engines as replacement and add few more for spares @1:3 so all in all about 350 engines,,, May be more based on more numbers...
Now imagine say a M88 family engine with a similar length and dimensions like present one.. If commonality is the jargon then i would prefer a more common pool with a twin engine variant already in use with IAF then a single engine one..
Even with a conservative 100 Rafales jets you get more than the number of engines that you have procured for LCA GE 414 program (100x2+100x2+200x1/3 = 200+200+66 = 466 versus 350 )
If the Rafales IAF+In reach 200 then engine requirement touches closer to 1000..
So why we should not rather approach Safran and seek this opportunity out...
There is less carrot and stick issue with anything French then USA.. Money both will ask anyways.. Nothing is coming free of course...