IAF Tejas MkII fighter jet program has seen an intriguing evolution in its engine selection. While the American-made GE F414IN6 engine is now confirmed to power this indigenous aircraft, it wasn't always the IAF's preferred choice.
In the early stages of the Tejas MkII's development, around 2010, the IAF reportedly expressed a strong preference for the European Eurojet EJ200 engine, the same powerplant that propels the formidable Eurofighter Typhoon. This inclination stemmed from a strategic desire to diversify the IAF's engine suppliers and reduce its over-dependence on a single foreign entity for such a critical component.
However, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the organization responsible for overseeing the Tejas program, ultimately made a different choice. The GE F414IN6 was selected as the Tejas MkII's engine, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness compared to the EJ200.
While the Tejas MkII is now set to fly with the GE F414IN6, the IAF's initial interest in the EJ200 serves as a reminder of the importance of considering multiple options and weighing various factors in defense acquisitions.
