GE to Retain Intellectual Property Rights Over Made in India F-414 Engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and General Electric (GE) are in advanced discussions for the local manufacturing of the F-414 engine, critical for India's Tejas MkII and AMCA MkI fighter jet programs. However, a key point of contention remains: GE will retain the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of these engines, even those manufactured in India.

This means that while HAL will gain the capability to produce the engines domestically, GE will retain control over the underlying technology and designs. This restriction could limit India's ability to modify or further develop the engines independently in the future.


Furthermore, any export of Indian fighter jets powered by the F-414 engine will require clearance from the United States, as the technology originates from the US. This could potentially impact India's ability to sell these aircraft to certain countries or regions.

The decision for GE to retain IPR raises concerns about India's long-term aspirations for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. While local production will boost domestic capabilities and reduce reliance on imports, the lack of control over the technology could hinder future innovation and development.

Some experts argue that without IPR, India will remain dependent on GE for upgrades and maintenance, potentially impacting the operational availability of its fighter jets. Others suggest that this is a necessary compromise to acquire advanced technology and accelerate the development of indigenous fighter programs.


Despite the IPR issue, negotiations between HAL and GE are ongoing. Both parties are keen to finalize the deal, recognizing the mutual benefits of collaboration. The Indian government is also actively involved in these discussions, seeking a balanced agreement that serves India's strategic interests.

The outcome of these negotiations will significantly impact India's aerospace industry and its future defence capabilities. It will also set a precedent for future collaborations with foreign defence companies, shaping India's path toward self-reliance in defence technology.

 

[Akshat]

Then where is flying test bed.

Where is the engine to fly it on?

 

[kumar]

Where is the engine to fly it on?

Then what was sent to russia for testing. Was it u?3

 

[Akshat]

Then what was sent to russia for testing. Was it u?3

You mean the failed engine that didn't qualify the tests?

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

He he he… Udhaar ki Zindagi….
Thats how US keeps its market share safe…
IPR retained means full control on engine tech, u cannot copy or build something else based on GE414…. U cannot export Mk2 to other nations means safe market with one less competitor for US jets……
Now Baboos must realising the importance of Kaveri….

Everyone knows importance of Kaveri, but you can't do much when your R&D institutions are just plain incompetent about the product. They can't make a simple MALE drone ffs.

 

[Anant]

US weapons will always come with strings attached - why because it serves their national interest…we must become aatmanirbhar in all military technologies by 2047, no if’s, no buts - we must as it is in our national interest….

These are very reasonable strings, atleast in this case, Sir. Export controls in license production are a very important and necessary tool.

 

[Anant]

GE may not share IPR for 110kN AMCA Engine even if it is developed with india.

Joint IPR is a stipulation for that. If they refuse it, they won't be selected.

 

[Anant]

I think its important for India to learn the lesson that USA cant be trusted with strategic weapons or platforms...buy a couple of hundred engines, enter into a JV with French or even the Russians to co develop an engine with IPR and ask GE to take a hike.....the day India signs a JV deal with anyone, GE bosses will line up in front of North Block and start dishing out all options for IPR...they can even come up with a fancy name like GE-F414 IN like F-21.....

No, the current production of the F414 is under license. That in itself means no IPR will be shared, which is a very reasonable thing to do. If GE does win that race to co-develop an engine, even if it is a F414 derivative, with us, the IPR for that particular engine would be held jointly between India and the USA. No export controls there.

 

[Pink Panther]

I guess there is no surprises here. It is expected, that is why local no sanction solution is must. Enough effort and money is not spend on engine development. do not expect miracle without hard work.

Obviously, we shouldn't dream of of anything of that sort.

 

[desigandu]

These are very reasonable strings, atleast in this case, Sir. Export controls in license production are a very important and necessary tool.

agreed…also IPR rights are extremely strong under US law and most IP is owned by private entities like GE, who despite working in the realm of national security are answerable to their shareholders…we should appreciate that this level of TOT has not been done by the US for engines…nevertheless Bharat must develop its own high thrust engine even if it is done with a partner to ensure IP rights…military aircraft engines are the holy grail of defense tech, and no one comes close to the US - Russian, Chinese, French and even UK are at least a decade behind if not more…wait till the variable cycle NGADs start flying in a few years - maybe already in secret…

 

[Pink Panther]

Then they won't be selected. The first condition for that engine is sharing entire IPR. If not, thank you very much.

Then who has engine, we already got burned working with France on the engine besides France has nothing to offer, Germans are the ones who are making engine for their 6th gen aircraft, so our only hope is either GE or RR, at-least GE won't backsta, they will tell it upfront whether they will share or won't.

 

[Pink Panther]

Joint IPR is a stipulation for that. If they refuse it, they won't be selected.

who will offer joint IPR, they will talk sweet upfron't to get some order Jet or something else for the engine and once they get the order and payment, they will start playing cat and mouse game and backstab. "Self help is the best help".

 

[Pink Panther]

US weapons will always come with strings attached - why because it serves their national interest…we must become aatmanirbhar in all military technologies by 2047, no if’s, no buts - we must as it is in our national interest….

Whose doesn't?, then we won't get anything, would we part our hard work with other Countries?

 

[SuryaK]

Should’ve just bought the engine outright, no one will part with crucial tech, stupid fools never learn. Just keep on funding Kaveri, it’ll take time and money, but we’ll get it eventually, which by looks of it is not so far away.

 

[Bhishma]

we need to pull a Chinese xerox technology on F414

 

[Akshat]

India must operationalise the Kaveri, then only we can safeguard the IAF interest.

Kaveri doesn’t work in any way or form.

 

[Akshat]

He he he… Udhaar ki Zindagi….
Thats how US keeps its market share safe…
IPR retained means full control on engine tech, u cannot copy or build something else based on GE414…. U cannot export Mk2 to other nations means safe market with one less competitor for US jets……
Now Baboos must realising the importance of Kaveri….

Babus always knew the importance of Kaveri, that’s why they gave a blank check to GTRE. But they simply couldn’t make it work. Those idiots had no idea what to even do with the money they were sanctioned. They couldn’t even spend it all.

 

[Alok Gupta]

After all the media hype that there will be 80% ToT and that India will be able ot export the LCA MK II to anybody, now we have the reality. I think HAL should go for a different engine eventhough a lot of the initial work has been modeled based on the f-414 engine. The US needs to lear that they can not have the cake and eat it too in every situation.

 

[Dagger]

After all the media hype that there will be 80% ToT and that India will be able ot export the LCA MK II to anybody, now we have the reality. I think HAL should go for a different engine eventhough a lot of the initial work has been modeled based on the f-414 engine. The US needs to lear that they can not have the cake and eat it too in every situation.

Bruv we have the ToT. IPR and tot is different

 

[beencensured]

He he he… Udhaar ki Zindagi….
Thats how US keeps its market share safe…
IPR retained means full control on engine tech, u cannot copy or build something else based on GE414…. U cannot export Mk2 to other nations means safe market with one less competitor for US jets……
Now Baboos must realising the importance of Kaveri….

Yes, you can but then risk sanctions. Americans are very strict on rules and their companies profits.

 

[Varaaah]

Don't waste your money and buy them at cheaper rate. Go for development with the British, because they offer total ToT and IPR. The French are expensive and greedy. You need their permission to sell planes with their engine to some other country.