HAL Explores Export Potential for F-414 Engines Post ToT

India's ambitions in the aerospace sector are soaring higher than ever.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's recent announcement at the Times Now "India Unstoppable" Summit signals a profound transformation in India's defence strategy – from achieving self-reliance to becoming a significant global exporter of aerospace technologies.

With the spotlight on HAL, India is poised to make a significant mark in the world of military aviation.

HAL Instructed to Explore Engine Exports​

Minister Singh has boldly tasked the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), specifically its Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to analyze the potential of exporting domestically developed Kaveri and F-414 engines.

This move highlights India's growing confidence and determination to establish itself as a leading player in the international defense market.

F-414 Engine: A Key Focus​

The F-414 engine lies at the heart of this potential export push.

HAL and GE are engaged in ongoing talks to initiate local production of the F-414 with a substantial 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT). The deal, expected to finalize by the end of 2024, would see the Indian plant begin rolling out locally assembled F-414 engines from 2027.

Over time, HAL aims to increase indigenous content in these engines to 80% by 2030. With plans underway to power both Tejas MkII and AMCA MkI programs, substantial local demand exceeding 400 F-414 engines is projected for India's own defense needs over the next two decades.

International Collaboration for Technological Advancement​

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed the value of international partnerships to accelerate India's rise in the aerospace industry.

Collaborations with distinguished players like Safran of France and partners in the United Kingdom are envisioned to fuel valuable technology transfer.

These joint ventures will help equip India with the cutting-edge know-how necessary to compete at the highest levels of international aerospace manufacturing.

Conclusion​

India's defence sector is on the cusp of a major transformation. HAL's exploration of export avenues for engines like the F-414, once local production and ToT are secured, underscores the growing ambitions of the nation.

Coupled with strategic international cooperation, India has the potential to establish itself as a global powerhouse in military aviation in the coming years.

 

[Harsh]

Fantasies keep on rolling. The contract to produce F414 in India has not been signed yet (just the MOU) and our raxa mantri is already in the dream world. Oh, we forgot it is election season and fantasies don't cost a paisa to keep the peasants in good humor.

Just ask him this; why would US give India the right to sell the jet engine to anyone when it alone can have the whole enchilada by itself?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Fantasies keep on rolling. The contract to produce F414 in India has not been signed yet (just the MOU) and our raxa mantri is already in the dream world. Oh, we forgot it is election season and fantasies don't cost a paisa to keep the peasants in good humor.

Just ask him this; why would US give India the right to sell the jet engine to anyone when it alone can have the whole enchilada by itself?

Oh don't u get it its one of HAL wet fantasies again. the GE which is the original manufacturer of F-414, has an annual capacity of producing just about 20 engines. The assembly line in India would not be far off in capacity. Assuming they are producing 15-16 aircraft per annum these engines would go into satisfying Indian demand itself, leaving little bandwidth for exports.

 

[sanket]

Then what about 110 kN engine which is being plan to developed for AMCA /TEDBF/Tejas MK2. How this Engine will b manufactured for next 20 years.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Then what about 110 kN engine which is being plan to developed for AMCA /TEDBF/Tejas MK2. How this Engine will b manufactured for next 20 years.

We will work with foreign partner for that. I dont think this engine will be exported. Export version of the aircraft will have GE414 engines most likely.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Lot of credit for the domestic defence production and rise in defence exports we are seeing goes to Rajnath singh. Starting from theaterisation to agniveer scheme to developing infrastructure in border areas, his term as defence minister has been most influential one since independence.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Please, dont give them new ideas.
Lest they start promoting export of engines to at least 40 countries even before first locally manufactured GE-F414 is out of assembly line.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Oh don't u get it its one of HAL wet fantasies again. the GE which is the original manufacturer of F-414, has an annual capacity of producing just about 20 engines. The assembly line in India would not be far off in capacity. Assuming they are producing 15-16 aircraft per annum these engines would go into satisfying Indian demand itself, leaving little bandwidth for exports.

Wasn't the 20 engines limit set for GE-F404?
Yeh Muriki kya GE-F414 ko bhi lapet liye?

I say, if Muricans continue to dabble in this funny business, we ahould send one demo F-404 to China for reverse engineering and wallah!!!
1000 engines per year.

 

[NSR]

USA under no circumstances will allow the re-export of GE F-414 engines without their permissions. Period.

Perhaps, India and USA can export it together to agreed customers and make money for both countries.
But why would USA agree to it when it has industrial capacity to make and export it by itself and save its own jobs.

Farfetched and daydreaming ideas.

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Wasn't the 20 engines limit set for GE-F404?
Yeh Muriki kya GE-F414 ko bhi lapet liye?

I say, if Muricans continue to dabble in this funny business, we ahould send one demo F-404 to China for reverse engineering and wallah!!!
1000 engines per year.

Its more or less same not much difference. Their assembly line is designed to handle concurrent production of about 20 each of F404 and F4114 and GE has indicated that they have no intention to change that.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

Its more or less same not much difference. Their assembly line is designed to handle concurrent production of about 20 each of F404 and F4114 and GE has indicated that they have no intention to change that.

And, the future of Indian aerospace industry rests on foundation of a technology of which we will be able to produce only 36 pieces at best in an year.

And then there are Indian entrepreneurs in US pioneering in the field of cutting edge of Jet/ScramJet engine technologies.

Oh well.

Perils of a confused republic. Mixed economics ka kutta, na Socialism ka, na capitalism ka.

 

[Hari Sud]

It requires US clearance before any exports are made.

 

[The Dark Knight]

Wasn't the 20 engines limit set for GE-F404?
Yeh Muriki kya GE-F414 ko bhi lapet liye?

I say, if Muricans continue to dabble in this funny business, we ahould send one demo F-404 to China for reverse engineering and wallah!!!
1000 engines per year.

Do you think China doesn't has GE404?

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Do you think China doesn't has GE404?

It does not. Atleast not PRC, may be Taiwan operates them but not China

 

[Akshat]

Fantasies keep on rolling. The contract to produce F414 in India has not been signed yet (just the MOU) and our raxa mantri is already in the dream world. Oh, we forgot it is election season and fantasies don't cost a paisa to keep the peasants in good humor.

Just ask him this; why would US give India the right to sell the jet engine to anyone when it alone can have the whole enchilada by itself?

Please tell me, how can any deal be signed at all? Tejas mk2 hasn’t even been rolled out. It took Tejas 19 years to go from initiation to first flight. It will take Mk2 21 years (or more, if there are further delays). Going by the same metric, Mk2 will take some 20 more years to be inducted. So how can GE even sign a deal right now? Who knows what will be the production cost at that point? Who knows if GE will be making the parts for that engine at that time?

While MoD under Rajnath has taken a lot of steps to eliminate DRDO and DOSUs to the extent possible, he is indeed to be blamed for not doing it fast enough.

As for why GE would allow it, didn’t Adani export Israeli drones from India even without getting any orders from our own military? Isn’t France importing a large number of items from India as part of offsets from Rafale? So it is possible. But HAL will have to work hard for it which seems unlikely,

 

[Anant]

"Jeb mein nahi dhela, ghoomne chale mela."

That saying fits HAL and a good part of Indian defence procurement perfectly. Delivery is always delayed, but dreams and fantasies have no end.

 

[Anant]

It does not. Atleast not PRC, may be Taiwan operates them but not China

Perhaps not, but I will bet happily that China has got their hands on atleast a couple of F110s thanks to their buddies in Bhikaristan.

 

[Bhaskar Ambekar]

Child is not yet born and already planning for Marriage

 

[ABHIJIT APSINGIKAR]

Perhaps not, but I will bet happily that China has got their hands on atleast a couple of F110s thanks to their buddies in Bhikaristan.

No need to bet, its well known that Pakistan indeed loaned few of their F-16 to China for them to rip it apart and study them. However engine tech is pinnacle of aerospace engineering and is a lot more complex than just reverse engineering it.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Wasn't the 20 engines limit set for GE-F404?
Yeh Muriki kya GE-F414 ko bhi lapet liye?

I say, if Muricans continue to dabble in this funny business, we ahould send one demo F-404 to China for reverse engineering and wallah!!!
1000 engines per year.

😆😂🤣 right.
We can ridicule china , but like you said the fact remains China is capable of reverse engineering and mass production while we are not even in competition. Sadly true .