HAL's New Engine Facility for Indigenous F414 Engines to Begin Production in 2028, Aims for 2 Engines/Month

As India and the United States continue to make progress towards finalizing a deal for the local manufacturing of 99 F-414 engines, India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is making significant strides towards establishing a dedicated production facility.

HAL has successfully secured a suitable site for the facility and is currently developing plans to ensure the production of at least two engines per month at peak capacity. The commencement of operations for the new F-414 production line is anticipated in 2028, with an initial production rate of one engine per month. This rate is planned to steadily increase to two engines per month, effectively aligning with the projected production of 24 Tejas MkII fighter jets annually by 2030-31.

The F-414 engine is a vital component of the Tejas MkII fighter jet, and its domestic manufacturing will considerably bolster India’s self-reliance in the realm of defence production. The agreement with GE Aerospace encompasses the transfer of technology (ToT) to HAL, empowering India to produce these advanced engines within its borders.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has indicated a requirement for approximately 200 Tejas MkII fighter jets by 2039-2040, potentially leading to a subsequent expansion of F-414 engine production. To accommodate this potential increase in demand for Tejas MkII aircraft, HAL has formulated plans to enhance the annual production capacity to 30 units.

The successful conclusion of the F-414 engine manufacturing deal will be a landmark achievement for India's defense industry. It will not only enhance self-sufficiency but also foster the development of high-tech manufacturing capabilities in the country.

 

[R. Singh]

Hope this tech transfer from GE help GTRE+HAL to make own Kaveri-2.0 to generate 86+ KN thrust !

 

[De_SECULARISED]

Then just scrap the deal, as LCA production will never touch it's peak so as F414

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

START DELIVERY OF TEJAS MK1A. 6 months delay has already occurred. At least be honeat about when deliveries will start

 

[desigandu]

2 GE414s, may not be enough if you add AMCA TEDBF say getting produced by 2035…Both AMCA and TEDBF are twin engined…

Say in 2035 we need 24 Tejas Mk2 + 12 AMCA Mk1 + 12 TEDBF + some spares and stock engines, we need a capacity of 72-80 engines per year or 6-7 per month, a 3.5X increase from the current plan! Hopefully achievable if the line starts producing 2 per month in 2028…

 

[shekhar]

Why only 24, even if Tejas Mark 2 production starts in 2030, it takes 2039 to deliver IAF 200 aircrafts,
1) what if export orders came
2) AMCA and tedbf also uses this engine and their orders

 

[Anant]

2 GE414s, may not be enough if you add AMCA TEDBF say getting produced by 2035…Both AMCA and TEDBF are twin engined…

Say in 2035 we need 24 Tejas Mk2 + 12 AMCA Mk1 + 12 TEDBF + some spares and stock engines, we need a capacity of 72-80 engines per year or 6-7 per month, a 3.5X increase from the current plan! Hopefully achievable if the line starts producing 2 per month in 2028…

Sir, knowing HAL's inefficiency, I don't think any of us needs to be worried about not having enough engines. We do need to be worried about the IAF's future, and we will have to be worried if HAL mucks up F414 production as well.

 

[Anant]

START DELIVERY OF TEJAS MK1A. 6 months delay has already occurred. At least be honeat about when deliveries will start

HAL and schedules don't belong together in the same context, since that word doesn't exist for them.

 

[desigandu]

Sir, knowing HAL's inefficiency, I don't think any of us needs to be worried about not having enough engines. We do need to be worried about the IAF's future, and we will have to be worried if HAL mucks up F414 production as well.

Bharat desperately needs a private sector aviation player for fighters and engines, besides HAL - not sure how that may happen! At least for transports Tatas may be the one, but for fighters, engines and helos we just have our favorite HAL who just fails to deliver - nothing is on plan, time or budget…

 

[NSR]

Great news but I am not sure if HAL is up to this job at all.

India should also import same kind of machines and tools, and test equipment's to manufacture its own Kaveri derivatives and meet the world standards for quality and reliability.

I also say go for local production of GE F-404IN20 with 80% TOT too as India intends to build almost 200+ Tejas IAs.
It means that India needs at least 400+ engines over their lifespan.
Normally a fighter needs at least 2 to 3 engines over their lives.

These steps will provide India with breathing room to realize their own fighter engine through heavy investments in R&D at universities, MIDHANI, public and private labs, Startups, and also public and private companies to overcome the hurdles in HOT CORE technologies.

India can surely do it.

 

[Andy]

Convert 97 Mk1A orders to Mk1B and get the fastest engine available for the same.

 

[Vijay Babu]

Without our own engines we just can't plan on some other countries supply and transfer

 

[Instant Karma]

Very good news from the newly appointed CEO of HAL. They have already started building the new production line for GE 414. 2028 will be the year for the delivery of the first F414 engine.

 

[Leo red]

Who will teach that engine should be more than fighters as every fight need minimum 3 engine in its life span so u need atleast 300 for 100 fighters. And more orders to come for upgraded version soon from govt.
and hal time schedule everyone knows.

 

[Naveen Bijoy]

So HAL is depended on GE,if US puts sanctions / red signal this deal , what is the alternative.

U have Tejas flights with no engines.

Someone is taking a bigger role in to stop India from developing own technology.

First develop Kaveri/ any other engine with some foreign / desi agencies collobaration .

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Then just scrap the deal, as LCA production will never touch it's peak so as F414

BEST SOLUTION REALLY. SCRAP and CANCEL ALL Tejas programs of ADA HAL on GE engines. Kickstart a super fastracked ORCA-TEF jets program using base Tejas-Naval-TEF jet designs using twin engines of RD33MK Sea Wasp ones made in India by HAL Khoraput factory! Another ORCA to replace Jaguars can be designed on New-Marut HF42 TEF jet designs of HAL too on same engines...

 

[Akshat]

Very good news from the newly appointed CEO of HAL. They have already started building the new production line for GE 414. 2028 will be the year for the delivery of the first F414 engine.

Engines will come on time since GE is involved. But what to do with LCA mk2 which HAL is simply refusing to roll out? Or even mk1 trainers for which engines have already come but HAL has told the MoD that they won’t supply the trainers come what may?

 

[Instant Karma]

Engines will come on time since GE is involved. But what to do with LCA mk2 which HAL is simply refusing to roll out? Or even mk1 trainers for which engines have already come but HAL has told the MoD that they won’t supply the trainers come what may?

Delay is due to the private sector companies not supplying components on time to HAL for final assembly.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that we received a very good deal compared to other countries who only received 40%. In this deal we receive 80% of the technology, we manufacture all of it in India and with Indian raw material/content. Right now they would be negotiating on the price and what technology and parts can be made in India and what parts that only GE will provide directly. The deal on paper looks to be good and the best deal.

The real nightmare and problems begins when HAL implements the agreement and in manufacturing the engines. Currently they should start building the necessary facilities and production lines so we can start manufacturing the engines straight away. The private sector needs to work closely with HAL so they can manufacture most of the parts, components and technology. Now HAL just needs to quickly and on time assemble most of what the private sector manufactured and what parts that only HAL manufactured so they can finally certify the engine.

In this deal HAL needs to change its work ethics, production speed, standards and hopefully the new MD can implement those critical changes. We need to make sure the engine is safe, reliable, fuel efficient, FADEC compatible and it gives a good performance. Now all they need to do is quickly develop the Tejas MK2 jet so they can run the flight tests.

 

[Swapy]

BEST SOLUTION REALLY. SCRAP and CANCEL ALL Tejas programs of ADA HAL on GE engines. Kickstart a super fastracked ORCA-TEF jets program using base Tejas-Naval-TEF jet designs using twin engines of RD33MK Sea Wasp ones made in India by HAL Khoraput factory! Another ORCA to replace Jaguars can be designed on New-Marut HF42 TEF jet designs of HAL too on same engines...

Non sense. You must smell the coffee. Tejas mk2 design prototype is almost ready production will start around 2028-29 with Initial batch of 12-16 Jets per year. As supply strengthen it will touch to 24 jet in 2030. ORCA and TEDBF will be commission from 2032 onwards. We can not replace RD33 engine with GE404/GE414 engine. Integration of these engine will bring Tejas MK1A and MK2 again on drawing board. It will take couple of years with DRDO/ADA and then it will come to HAL for production. India can't afford to close Tejas program as they are indigenous and per unit cost is very less compare to imported Jet. ORCA's cost would be higher as ORCA is twin engine and bigger then Tejas. PAF inducted 150+ JF17 jet and China have 300+ J10 jet. They can produce these in large number due to less cost of production of these Jets.
Tejas MK2 demand is 200+ and MK1A demand is 220+. We simply can't scrap these program. Hope you get it. Engine delay is strategy of USA pushover for F21 and F15EX for IAF. As we know IAF love for imported Jets.

 

[Swapy]

HAL and schedules don't belong together in the same context, since that word doesn't exist for them.

Bring engines from USA then start blaming HAL. These are not paper plane to fly w/o engines.

 

[Swapy]

2 GE414s, may not be enough if you add AMCA TEDBF say getting produced by 2035…Both AMCA and TEDBF are twin engined…

Say in 2035 we need 24 Tejas Mk2 + 12 AMCA Mk1 + 12 TEDBF + some spares and stock engines, we need a capacity of 72-80 engines per year or 6-7 per month, a 3.5X increase from the current plan! Hopefully achievable if the line starts producing 2 per month in 2028…

Wrong Mathematics. First of all India don't need more than 60+TEDBF as we have only 2-3 AC would be operational in 2035. Second - you must talking about squadron instead of only 24 nos of Tejas MK2. Reality is IAF doesn't have budgetary allocation to produce these more than 24 Jet annually. addition to these they want MRFA Jet. Unlike HAL, Foreign companies will not wait for money after delivery. In contract normally have penalty clause when delay in money. India didn't apply penalty on late delivery of Rafale because they were happy with late delivery Vis a vis delay in payment.
E.g. India give order of F21 to LM. LM can produce 100 F21 in year. but whether IAF can pay all money together? Answer is 'NO'.
Are you aware how much IAF's dues are pending to HAL ? Are you expecting HAL should use their own money to purchase Raw material and company from Private companies?
If USA is delaying engines then what will HAL do? why don't IAF purchase of the shelf engines directly from GE and give it to HAL to integrate. As HAL is just integrator of many of components.

 

[kurtwallis wallis]

Convert 97 Mk1A orders to Mk1B and get the fastest engine available for the same.

It will take MINIMUM 8 years for HAL to change OEM engines into Tejas as it becomes a NEW design altogether! ALSO, there are no decent SEF jet engines available anywhere is whole western countries, for Tejas other than GEF404 and GEF414 ones!! RD93MA are causing a lot of JF17 crashes recently... EJ200 are certified for TEF jets only!

 

[Anant]

Wrong Mathematics. First of all India don't need more than 60+TEDBF as we have only 2-3 AC would be operational in 2035. Second - you must talking about squadron instead of only 24 nos of Tejas MK2. Reality is IAF doesn't have budgetary allocation to produce these more than 24 Jet annually. addition to these they want MRFA Jet. Unlike HAL, Foreign companies will not wait for money after delivery. In contract normally have penalty clause when delay in money. India didn't apply penalty on late delivery of Rafale because they were happy with late delivery Vis a vis delay in payment.
E.g. India give order of F21 to LM. LM can produce 100 F21 in year. but whether IAF can pay all money together? Answer is 'NO'.
Are you aware how much IAF's dues are pending to HAL ? Are you expecting HAL should use their own money to purchase Raw material and company from Private companies?
If USA is delaying engines then what will HAL do? why don't IAF purchase of the shelf engines directly from GE and give it to HAL to integrate. As HAL is just integrator of many of components.

2 carrier air wings means atleat 52 aircraft just for use on the carriers. Add some 8-10 trainers to that. Add 10-12 attrition replacements and reserves. That itself takes the number up to 70-74 aircraft.

Now, the Navy also wants three shore-based naval strike squadrons to act in anti-ship roles. This is presently handled by a Su-30MKI squadron and the sole Jaguar IM squadron. These shore based squadrons add another 60 aircraft. Add 10-12 trainers, plus around 10-12 attrition replacements. That takes this number up to 80-84 aircraft.

Now, add those up, and the requirement becomes around 150-160 aircraft. Add in a third carrier air wing (assuming the Rafale Ms are repurposed with the IAF or become a fourth proposed naval strike squadron), and the number of aircraft suddenly reaches around 175.

 

[Anant]

Bring engines from USA then start blaming HAL. These are not paper plane to fly w/o engines.

HAL's deliveries of older Tejas aircraft, where the engines were available, has been extremely delayed as well. Moreover, the first Tejas Mk 1A actually had an engine available, and was supposed to be delivered before March 31 this year (never mind the deadlines crossed earlier). Has it been delivered yet? NO!

Not saying the blame is solely with HAL. GE and others also shoulder the blame, but the majority of it is in HAL's plate.