Game-Changing Partnership: Why GE’s Joint Fighter Jet Production in India is Trail-blazing

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the decision by General Electric to manufacture jet engines in India through technology transfer is a historic agreement, noting that this will give India-US defense cooperation a “new character”.

GE Aviation has announced that it has signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (LCA) Mk-II Tejas light combat aircraft.

“The decision taken by General Electric to manufacture motors in India through technology transfer is a historic agreement,” Prime Minister Modi told reporters at a joint news conference with US President Joe Biden at the White House.

This also opens up new business opportunities in both countries, he said, adding, “This will give our defense cooperation a new character in the times ahead.”

The defense industries and startups of both countries are important partners in this cooperation. Modi said bringing them together is the main goal of the defense industry roadmap.

In a joint statement, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi hailed the historic signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between GE and HAL.

about the deal

GE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) involving potential co-production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India. GE Aerospace is working with the US government to obtain the necessary export authorization for this collaboration. The aim is to support the Indian Air Force’s Mk2 light combat aircraft programme, with the F414 engines used in the original Tejas Mark-2 fighter jets, according to a report by first post.

The GE F414 engine is highly regarded for its performance and is already used in Boeing’s Super Hornets and Gripen fighter jets. It is an American-made after-combustion turbofan in the 22,000 lbf (98 kN) thrust class. The F414 engine delivers unrestrained engine performance with quick throttle response and no throttle limitation. It excels in light afterburner and stability, providing extra traction when needed. The report says its advanced technologies make it highly versatile and suitable for advanced combat aircraft.

The F414 engine, which is derived from the GE F404 engine, produces up to 18,000 pounds of thrust, making it suitable for various aircraft and missions. It is designed for ease of maintenance, reduced ownership costs, and meets current environmental regulations while prioritizing environmental sustainability for the future. The engine uses integrated engine electronics, providing real-time performance data to enable pilots to make informed decisions. Its High Pressure Compressor (HPC) delivers improved efficiency and lower emissions compared to previous engine generations.

However, the cost of the GE F414 engine is prohibitive. Reports have a price tag of $3.71 million (roughly Rs. 30 crores) for each engine.

Why is the deal important?

according to a report by Indian ExpressOnly a few countries, such as the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom and France, have the experience and knowledge to manufacture engines for combat aircraft. India is striving for self-reliance in biotechnologies but has not mastered this particular field.

The Indian Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has been working to develop engines for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program, but the ambitious Kaveri engine project has faced challenges. Although prototypes were developed and extensive testing carried out, the engines did not meet fighter aircraft requirements, and fell short in terms of thrust.

In 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) criticized GTRE for its inability to offer the LCA engine, resulting in cost overruns.

While LCA Tejas currently uses the GE-404 engine, the government has expressed plans to utilize the technological capabilities gained from the Kaveri engine project, including for drone applications. Countries with advanced engine manufacturing technologies are usually unwilling to share them, which makes the expected deal to manufacture GE F414 engines in India a significant advance. The report states that this agreement will mark the end of India’s protracted pursuit of advanced combat jet engine technology.