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GE to supply two jet engines a month and talks are on for 200 GE-414 engines with 80% tech transfer.
IAF’s Tejas fighter jets flypast in a formation during the full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day Parade 2024 at the Kartavya Path, in New Delhi. (IMAGE: PTI)
India is close to finalising a USD one billion deal with American firm General Electric (GE) to supply 113 more GE-404 engines for its indigenous fighter jet programme, defence officials told news agency ANI. The agreement is expected to be signed by September and comes on the heels of the Centre clearing a ₹62,000 crore order for 97 additional LCA Mark 1A aircraft.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) had earlier signed a contract with GE for 99 engines to meet the requirements of the first 83 fighters ordered by the Indian Air Force. The new order of 113 engines will take the total to 212, ensuring continuity in production and avoiding delays in the assembly line, according to officials. HAL is working to supply the first 83 aircraft by the end of 2029-30, with the next batch of 97 LCA Mark 1As scheduled for delivery by 2033-34.
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GE is expected to supply two engines per month from now on to fulfil its commitments for the Indian programme. At the same time, HAL is negotiating a larger USD 1.5 billion contract with GE for GE-414 engines, with 80 per cent transfer of technology. Defence officials told ANI that negotiations have been underway for a long time and the deal is likely to be signed in the coming months.
India requires 200 of the GE-414 engines for the next-generation LCA Mark 2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), including 162 for the LCA Mark 2 and 10 for five AMCA prototypes. Officials said the programme will be crucial in helping the Indian Air Force replace its ageing fleet of MiG-21s, which are being phased out in the coming weeks.
The indigenous fighter jet project has full backing from the Defence Ministry and Air Headquarters and is expected to give a major push to indigenisation while also benefiting small and medium enterprises engaged in the defence sector across the country, ANI said in its report.
India is simultaneously working on an indigenous fighter aircraft engine project with French firm Safran, as part of its push to achieve long-term self-reliance in defence manufacturing while continuing to source advanced technologies through global partnerships.
About the Author
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev…Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev… Read More
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