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a Historic agreement To facilitate the transfer of at least 11 critical jet engine technologies, which are likely to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ongoing state visit to the US. A deal between US multinational General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture a General Electric F414 engine under license in India for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2 is expected to be announced.
The potential technology transfer agreement was discussed in talks between Defense Secretary Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in New Delhi earlier this month, and a highlight was National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s meeting with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in February, when the initiative was activated. Indian America on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET).
GE-414 engine
The turboprop, which is part of General Electric’s range of military aircraft engines, has been used by the US Navy for more than 30 years, according to the GE Aerospace website. More than 1,600 F414 engines have been delivered, adding up to more than 5 million flight hours on a variety of missions.
The engines are in the 22,000 lbf or 98 kN thrust class, and feature advanced technology such as Full Power Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) — the aircraft’s latest ignition and engine control system that digitally controls engine performance — according to General Electric.
The manufacturer’s website says the use of advanced materials and cooling technologies improves performance and extends component life.
Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet
F414 powered aircraft
Eight countries have F414-powered aircraft in operation or on order, according to General Electric.
The F414-GE-400 engines power the US Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. Saab’s Gripen E/F fighters use the F414G, the single-engine variant of the F414-GE-400. The manufacturer’s website says the F414 engines can also power emerging platforms like the Korean KF-X.
Boeing E/A-18G Growler
for Indian aircraft
The India-specific version of the engine, the F414-INS6, was selected by the Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) for the LCA Tejas Mk2 engine. LCA Tejas is powered by a single GE-404-IN20 engine. The GE-404 engine, whose basic design is reproduced in the F414, was developed in the 1970s.
HAL Tejas Mark 2
The F414 engines may also power the prototypes and initial batch of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s future fifth-generation fighter aircraft for its air force. GE’s website mentions AMCA as a possible recipient of the engine, although it will likely face competition from other jet engine makers such as Safran SA of France and Rolls-Royce of the United Kingdom.
Safran and HAL were involved in the development of the Shakti engine for the Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).
Why the deal matters
Only a handful of countries—such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France—have mastered the technology and metallurgy needed to manufacture an engine that can power combat aircraft. India is not on this list, despite its pursuit of self-reliance in manufacturing many vital technologies, including cryogenic rocket engines.
DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) first worked on developing the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. Subsequently, the ambitious Kaveri engine project was approved in late 1989.
Saab JAS 39E / F Gripen NG
Nine complete prototype engines and four basic engines were developed, 3,217 hours of engine testing were performed, altitude and flight test (FTB) tests were completed – but the engines were not found suitable for combat aircraft. There was a significant shortfall in the engine’s wet thrust, which put out just 70.4 kN against the 81 kN target.
In 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) recalled the GTRE for its inability to produce an LCA engine despite its prohibitive cost overruns.
While LCA Tejas is integrated with the GE-404 engine, the government told parliament in 2021 that the technological capabilities built through the Kaveri engine project will be used, including as derivatives in drones.
Countries that have the technology to make advanced engines for fighter jets have traditionally been unwilling to share it. This is why the expected deal to manufacture F414 aircraft from GE in India is groundbreaking. The agreement will end India’s long-standing pursuit of advanced combat jet engine technology.
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