Why India’s AMCA still needs a US engine, and so do many of the world’s fighters

India’s ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet program faces a significant hurdle as the cost of crucial US-made engines has reportedly tripled, jeopardizing timelines and budgets. This reliance on foreign propulsion systems, also impacting the Tejas Mk2, highlights a persistent challenge in developing world-class fighter jet engines domestically. While other nations also depend on foreign engines initially, India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy hinges on mastering this complex technology.