Published by: Vivek Dubey
General Electric’s aerospace unit signed an agreement with HAL s to jointly make engines in India to power Indian Air Force’s fighter jets.
The announcement was timed to coincide with Modi’s visit to the US and is considered the most significant of several agreements expected to be concluded between the two countries during Modi’s visit.
Here are some facts about the engine and why it is critical for India’s military.
The GE F414 engine has been used by US Navy aircraft for over 30 years and powers jets in several countries.
GE has delivered more than 1,600 F414 engines with over 5 million flight hours and it is also manufactured in South Korea.
India’s quest to manufacture an engine for the indigenous light combat aircraft “Tejas” began in the 1980s but has struggled. HAL turned to GE’s F404 engine to power Tejas and has procured eight F414 engines for the more powerful Tejas Mark 2.
The F414 will also be used to develop India’s next generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. India hopes to meet its target of 42 fighter squadrons with home-made jets powered by home-made engines.
India and the US have grown closer over the last two decades and are building a strong bond centred on trade, defence, technology partnerships and geopolitical alignment.
Washington designated India as a “major defense partner” in 2016 and India’s military purchases from the US passed $20 billion in 2020. India faces military threats from China and Pakistan and is the world’s largest arms importer.
Washington seeks to deepen ties with India as a counter to China’s rising global influence and is willing to give India access to critical American technologies such as F414.
The first F414 engines are expected to be delivered from the US over the next three years while HAL sets up a production facility in India. Full scale production of F414 in India and Tejas Mark 2 is expected early in the next decade.