Opinion Why India Must Reconsider Engine Choice for Tejas Mk2? Taking Lessons from F404 Engine Delays for Tejas Mk1A

Recent delays in the delivery of American-made GE F404 engines for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet are raising significant concerns about India's growing dependency on foreign suppliers for critical military hardware.

According to defence analyst Pathikrit Payne, these disruptions should serve as a crucial lesson for the nation's more ambitious Tejas Mk2 programme, highlighting a strategic vulnerability that could impact the future of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The current production schedule for the Tejas Mk1A aircraft has been affected by interruptions in the supply of its F404 engines. General Electric (GE), the manufacturer, has pointed to global supply chain constraints as the primary cause for the delay.

Mr. Payne, a Senior Research Fellow at the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, noted in a recent analysis that these issues cast doubt on the long-term dependability of relying on a single source for such vital components.

The Tejas Mk2 is a far more advanced and critical project for India's defence preparedness. This Medium Weight Fighter is engineered to be a cornerstone of the IAF, eventually replacing ageing fleets of Jaguar, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29 aircraft.

"The Tejas Mk-2 is a far more critical project than its predecessor," stated Mr. Payne. "Any uncertainty regarding the engine supply, especially at this scale, could have serious operational repercussions."

In an agreement signed during a state visit in June 2023, India and the United States finalised a deal for GE to jointly manufacture its more powerful F414 engines in India to power the Tejas Mk2. This deal includes a significant transfer of technology, estimated at around 80%.

However, Mr. Payne argues that despite this positive step, India must actively pursue alternative options to avoid potential bottlenecks and geopolitical pressures in the future.

As a measure of strategic hedging, experts suggest India should explore engine options from established defence partners like France and Russia.

France's Safran M88 engine, which already powers the IAF's fleet of Rafale jets, presents an option with logistical and maintenance advantages. Similarly, Russia's Klimov RD-93MA engine, an advanced variant of the engine used on MiG fighters, could be considered.

"The objective is not to replace the F414 immediately, but to have fallback options," Mr. Payne explained, adding that a diverse supplier base enhances India's negotiating power and strengthens its domestic defence industry.

Ultimately, the long-term solution lies in developing a homegrown engine.

For years, India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has worked on the indigenous GTX-35VS Kaveri engine, though it has yet to achieve the required thrust for a frontline fighter.

There is a renewed focus on accelerating this programme, potentially through a joint venture with an international partner like France's Safran, to develop a next-generation engine for India's future combat aircraft.

The Tejas Mk2 is scheduled for induction into the IAF in the early 2030s and is expected to serve for several decades. Ensuring its production remains free from the influence of a single supplier is considered essential for maintaining India’s strategic autonomy and national security.

 

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[emgee]

A great pity India didn't buy the Mirage 2000 production line together with the M53 production line.
You guys could be punching planes and engines out like movie tickets.

 

[sanket]

Okay, the AMCA engine is an option with 120 kN thrust, which will make Tejas MK2 more agile in the sky. Now, there is a need to search for options; the focus should be on finalising a foreign partner for developing a 120 kN thrust engine with potential up to 145 kN and signing the deal at the earliest. One engine can be integrated into three fighter jets: AMCA, Tejas MK2, and TEDBF. If Safran wins the engine development race, then the same engine can be integrated into both variants of the Rafale.

 

[king dorm]

Safran and Rolls-Royce are ready to give us the full TOT of one of their engines, which we are planning to use in AMCA. So, why not put it in MK2 also? It will be a good test run, plus we will have our own working engine and not have to depend on the USA at all.

 

[Sunny]

We are already planning for 120 kN engine co-development, so we should design it to support both single-engine and twin-engine configurations. Also, hopefully, our engineers have already designed Tejas Mk2 airframes to handle 120 kN of thrust.

 

[Kira]

Since HAL is delaying Tejas production due to its own issues rather than the F404 issue itself, I don't think any change is needed from the F414, and choosing any other engine would mean significant modifications and retesting for the Tejas MK-2, which is already delayed.

 

[GhoshDiganta]

Unless we have our own engine, everything is uncertain.

 

[Krishnarao R]

Engines can also be sourced from Japan and Russia with TOT. Tejas's airframe and other parts should be compatible with any type of engine. This will enable wider participation by industries at a competitive rate, but adhering to the timeline is very important.

 

[Rajesh]

Fast-track the 120 kN engine deal, making them suitable for Mk2, TEDBF, and AMCA, leaving us with the Mk1 series.

MRFA should be selected in a way that the OEM puts its engine in a separate deal, like the AMCA engine. Most probably, Typhoon and Rafale would win, considering they both have engines suitable for Mk1 (Rafale must put their M88-3 engine in that place). Let us utilize the multi-billions we will spend on a 4th-gen jet into something useful.

If MRFA is won by Rafale or Typhoon (which they have won in the previous tender), put a condition that the engine should also be put in a similar deal like the proposed AMCA engine deal. When the EJ200, which was under consideration along with GE414, the Typhoon consortium was also willing to make the engines in India with ToT, so they won't be that hesitant, nor will the French.

Self-reliant in engines is a must, or we will be subjected to political bullying every time.

 

[Radha Ramanan]

Unfortunately, nothing can be done hereafter regarding the engine for the LCA series, including the MK2. The LCA internal structure has been designed to fit the GE engines only. No other engine can be integrated inside without redesigning the engine bay. Fuel lines, hydraulics, and electricals all have to be redesigned. Readers here are giving suggestions as though engines can be swapped like Lego bricks; the truth is, it cannot be done. The other hard truth is, if the US decided to sanction India, it can ground the entire LCA fleet! That is the reality...

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Safran and Rolls-Royce are ready to give us the full TOT of one of their engines, which we are planning to use in AMCA. So, why not put it in MK2 also? It will be a good test run, plus we will have our own working engine and not have to depend on the USA at all.

There is a long time before those engines will be made and put into use. Our entire Tejas platform hugely depends upon American GE. A mistake has been made already if they do not supply engines on time.

 

[sandy 007]

Okay, the AMCA engine is an option with 120 kN thrust, which will make Tejas MK2 more agile in the sky. Now, there is a need to search for options; the focus should be on finalising a foreign partner for developing a 120 kN thrust engine with potential up to 145 kN and signing the deal at the earliest. One engine can be integrated into three fighter jets: AMCA, Tejas MK2, and TEDBF. If Safran wins the engine development race, then the same engine can be integrated into both variants of the Rafale.

I think the Japanese engine can also be a big game-changer in this competition, and the Japanese can provide good technical assistance and assurance compared to GE, RR, and Safran. I don't know how much TOT they will offer, but indeed, they are more reliable than all of them. We must talk to them, as Japanese technology is far more advanced than European. In fact, the Japanese can be good aircraft manufacturers, better than Western countries, but they have certain constraints. I think if Japan provides technology and technical assistance, India should go with Japan.

 

[bonito]

Since HAL is delaying Tejas production due to its own issues rather than the F404 issue itself, I don't think any change is needed from the F414, and choosing any other engine would mean significant modifications and retesting for the Tejas MK-2, which is already delayed.

They still haven't done anything with regards to F414. Tejas MK2 is designed engine agnostic. Any engine should fit in. Do you really believe GE will be on time delivery?

 

[Hawkeye]

Engines can also be sourced from Japan and Russia with TOT. Tejas's airframe and other parts should be compatible with any type of engine. This will enable wider participation by industries at a competitive rate, but adhering to the timeline is very important.

Engine dimensions still matter. Russian engines are too big to fit in Tejas MK2. To adapt to Russian engine size, it will take more time to redesign and test. Tejas MK2 is already delayed. The only alternative engine that can fit as is without any design changes is the EJ200; it is more powerful than the GE F414 and slightly smaller also.

 

[Sandeep]

For Tejas MK2 we can’t switch engines because it will require some modifications to the jets air frames, fuselage, pipes, wiring, jet computer and software updates etc. We should quickly reach a deal for the F414 engines because that’s the engine that we selected when developing Tejas MK2.

Even if we have to pay a little bit more it will still be worth it in the long run. What’s important is that we learn how to design, develop and manufacture an engine. Also we get 80% of the technology along with manufacturing that amount from indigenous raw materials.

If we want to develop an engine then we should find a replacement for the F404. Our private sector companies can create a consortium and 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture a replacement for the F404.

Overall we will need to develop and manufacture at least 600-800 engines as a jet uses around 3-4 engines over a period of 30-40 years. So developing an engine that’s equivalent or better than the F404 which can be achieved.

 

[Kira]

They still haven't done anything with regards to F414. Tejas MK2 is designed engine agnostic. Any engine should fit in. Do you really believe GE will be on time delivery?

Given that the F414 is already in production, unlike the F404, which GE had to restart production of, I don't think that will be an issue. Also, since the design of the MK-2 will have been concrete for at least the last few years, and the prototypes are in various stages of construction, I don't think you can simply change the engine now without significant redesigns, calculations, and testing that will set back the project even more.

 

[Madan]

You are absolutely right. But HAL will not do anything else but to go for the GE 414. Because it knows about the delays by GE and hence the excuse for doing nothing. Also there must be some other considerations like commissions etc.

 

[Madan]

Given that the F414 is already in production, unlike the F404, which GE had to restart production of, I don't think that will be an issue. Also, since the design of the MK-2 will have been concrete for at least the last few years, and the prototypes are in various stages of construction, I don't think you can simply change the engine now without significant redesigns, calculations, and testing that will set back the project even more.

If the delay is intentional on goading from US Government, then it won't be about in production or not (F 414). Americans can't be trusted.