GE and HAL Near Finalizing F-414 Engine Deal with 80% ToT, Expected to Accelerate India's Tejas Mk2, AMCA and TEDBF Programs

In a major boost to India's indigenous fighter jet programs, General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are close to finalizing a deal for 99 F414-GE-INS6 engines.

The deal, estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, represents a significant increase from the 2010 agreement, reflecting both inflation and a substantial rise in the level of technology transfer (ToT) from 56% to 80%. This enhanced ToT is a key factor in the increased value, as it allows HAL to gain greater expertise in manufacturing advanced jet engines.

The agreement is anticipated to be finalized by March 2025, with the first engine rolling out of HAL's Bangalore facility by April 2028. GE Aviation has already provided an initial set of F414-GE-INS6 engines, which will power the Tejas MkII prototypes. Subsequent engines will be manufactured in India under the ToT arrangement.

This agreement has broader implications beyond the Tejas Mk2 program. The F414-GE-INS6 engines will also power 40 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MkI units and early prototypes of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF). This expands the total order to over 200 units by 2038-39, highlighting the long-term nature of this partnership and its significance for India's future air power.

The F414-GE-INS6 is the most powerful variant of the F414 series. While it shares the same thrust output as the standard F414 used in the F-18 E/F Super Hornet and the Korean KF-21 Block I, the INS6 incorporates key technological advancements. These include Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) systems and enhanced safety features specifically designed for single-engine aircraft like the Tejas. These features ensure optimal performance and reliability across various operational conditions.

GE Aerospace's F414 engines are known for incorporating cutting-edge technologies that enhance performance, durability, and reduce life-cycle costs. This makes them an ideal choice for powering next-generation combat aircraft.

The unprecedented 80% ToT in this deal will significantly enhance HAL's capabilities in high-thrust jet engine production. This is crucial for India's pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology and its strategic goal of achieving technological sovereignty. The deal is expected to have a positive ripple effect on the Indian aerospace sector, fostering innovation and contributing to the development of a robust domestic defence industrial base.

 

[R. Singh]

Will this 80% tech help GTRE to make its Kaveri-2.0 a 86+KN engine ? If not better we power Tejas-1A with GE-414 engine !

 

[Avada kedavra]

So they accepted the 500 million hike?
And will they do tech transfer for the core?

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

What is the status of F404 engines for Tejas MK1A

 

[op gupta]

1.5 billion is just a huge amount right? I know after the deal many so called defence expert will question the deal value but India has no other option, India desperately needs such a deal- engine development is not just a test of Indian talented scientist but more it is a test of india's political leaders.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Is it to show India that we can also be "tariffed" 50% ?!

or is it for the fact that GE F404 was delayed and now the supply chain is getting more expensive but the earlier contract for F404 has to be honoured ?

Or then is it to give an indication and set expectation for the additional F404 needed for 97 Tejas Mk1a ?

but I hope we had added and will enforce penalty for delays or deviation from the 80% ToT for the F414 local development

But the hope now is that we do NOT waste this 1.5 bil USD with GE and the billions for the 110kn engine with Safran/ RollsRoyce

 

[Man H]

Why GE again? What happened to Rolls Royce

 

[Enforcer]

America has more than 1 company just FYI. Pratt and Whitney is arguably better. There should have been a competitive dialogue. But Pratt and Whitney doesn't make engine in 404 class. Honeywell is there too but does not have same size engine. A collaborative effort with Honeywell to build one ground up would have been better.

 

[Arin Kumar]

An order of at least 300 GE F414 should have been made instead of just 100. 15 squadrons of Hal Tejas Mk 2 would have been enough to stop Pakistan from conducting an air-raid on India.

Leaving the expensive stuff like Rafale and Su. 30 MKI to deal with China.

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to quickly make a deal as we can’t delay the production of our jets. There is a huge demand for these engines and we will end up manufacturing more than 400 for the next 20 years.

This deal is going to be slightly expensive but well worth it in the long term as we can’t delay getting access to the advance technology. We need to increase our knowledge and education so we become self reliant and in future develop our own indigenous engines. Also for jet engines nobody will give us so much technology or allow us to manufacture that much indigenously with indigenous raw materials.

This deal will take some time to set up as we will need to import the advanced machinery and materials to manufacture the engine. Also setting up a brand new ecosystem from scratch takes some time and money.