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India is on the verge of finalising a historic agreement with General Electric (GE) Aerospace that will significantly enhance its indigenous military aviation capabilities.
A team from the American conglomerate is scheduled to arrive in India shortly to conclude negotiations with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on the transfer of technology for the powerful F414 jet engine, which will equip India's future fighter aircraft.
The final discussions are expected to be completed by the end of 2025, with the goal of signing a formal contract by March 2026.
This timeline positions HAL to produce the first Made-in-India F414 engine from a new, dedicated manufacturing facility in Bengaluru by April 2029, marking a major milestone in the nation's push for self-reliance in defence technology.
Engine for Next-Generation Fighters
The GE F414-INS6 engine is a state-of-the-art afterburning turbofan engine renowned for its reliability and performance, notably powering the US Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet.Generating 98 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust, it has been selected to power the Indian Air Force's Tejas Mk2, a 4.5-generation fighter, and the initial versions of the ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India's first fifth-generation stealth fighter.
This engine represents a substantial upgrade over the F404 model currently used in the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A jets.
It incorporates advanced features such as Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC), which acts like a sophisticated computer to optimise engine performance, along with single-crystal turbine blades that can withstand extreme temperatures, boosting efficiency and power.
An Unprecedented Technology Transfer
Central to the agreement is an 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT), a significant leap from a 58% ToT offered by the United States over a decade ago in 2012.This level of technology sharing is exceptionally rare for nations that are not formal treaty allies of the U.S. and underscores the growing strategic partnership between Washington and New Delhi, largely aimed at ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
The transfer will provide HAL with the technical knowledge and manufacturing processes for highly complex components. This includes mastering techniques for machining and coating single-crystal turbine blades, advanced welding methods, and laser drilling for engine combustors.
Gaining these capabilities is crucial, as jet engine technology is among the most protected and difficult to develop independently.
Clearing Hurdles and Moving Forward
The path to this final stage of negotiations involved overcoming significant regulatory and commercial challenges.The deal has already navigated the complex U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and received the necessary DSP-83 certification from the U.S. government in September 2024, clearing a major administrative hurdle.
The upcoming talks will focus on finalising the remaining technical and commercial clauses.
The initial agreement, outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the U.S. in June 2023, covers the production of 99 engines.
However, the scope is expected to expand significantly to over 200 units to meet the requirements for the AMCA and the future Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) planned for the Indian Navy.
In parallel with the negotiations, the Tejas Mk2 programme is advancing steadily. HAL has already taken delivery of eight F414 engines from GE to power the initial prototypes.
The first prototype is currently under assembly, with a target for its first flight in the first quarter of 2026. This progress ensures that the fighter jet's development remains on track for its eventual induction into the Indian Air Force, projected to begin from 2031.
