GE to Retain Control Over F-414 Engine's Single Crystal Blade Casting and FADEC Software in ToT Agreement with India

GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are nearing finalization of a landmark deal for the transfer of technology (ToT) for the F-414 engine, set to be concluded later this year. This agreement will grant HAL access to nearly 80% of the ToT, facilitating local production of the engine in Bangalore.

GE Aerospace has emphasized that this ToT package surpasses any previous agreement for the F-414 engine. Notably, South Korea, utilizing the same engine for its KF-21 fighter jet, only received 59% ToT.

While the specific details of the withheld 20% remain undisclosed, it's confirmed that GE will retain the casting process for single crystal (SX) blades and the software for the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. However, HAL will acquire the technology for coating and machining these blades.

The remaining 20% of the technology will be supplied directly by GE to HAL, safeguarding their intellectual property rights. This approach balances GE's control over critical components with HAL's capability to manufacture and maintain the engine domestically.

Although India has developed indigenous capabilities for single crystal blade casting through the Kaveri engine program, the withholding of this tech isn't seen as a major obstacle. Indian companies may utilize domestically developed tech to replace the withheld components shortly, potentially achieving 100% local manufacturing of the engine.

The finalization of this deal is a significant step forward for India's defense industry. Local manufacture of the F-414 engine will reduce India's reliance on foreign suppliers, create new opportunities for domestic industries and jobs, and enhance India's capabilities in advanced engine technology, positioning the country as a major player in the global aerospace sector.

 

[Koorma]

Nobody will give 100% ToT. RR was offering to develop together, but the babus cannot decide. Decision problems are harming Indian interests badly.

 

[vikrant rao]

First delays then this and you can bet the final figure of ToT will be much less as is always the case. US making another Türkiye (Turkey) out of India! This constant drip, drip, drip of pessimistic then optimistic leaks is vintage Pentagon MO.

 

[vikrant rao]

We must pick up the offer and start building the engines based on GE technology. In parallel work aggressively to build the tech not just 20%, concurrently better the technology of another 30% that will come from GE. Any country that masters engine technology will have the edge in developing multiple aircraft (military and civil). It's high time we stop questioning and start doing.

It's alright to withhold crucial tech but given India's strategic autonomy doctrine which the US opposes you can bet it will not be a reliable supplier. In that light, the Russians or French with similar ToT (or less) are a better deal purely in terms of reliability!

 

[Pr K Singh]

The actual dimension of this deal for manufacturing GE F414 locally in India is pure business. The potential of the Indian market is immense and will act as a trigger in improving the slowdown in their business. And for India developing their own engine will take more than a decade or more. So the growing threat on its borders is a continuous headache for Defence establishment of India and a good business opportunity for the General Electric and other technology giants in US.