Central Idea

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official State visit to the United States, a significant agreement is likely to be announced.
The deal is expected to facilitate the transfer of at least 11 critical jet engine technologies.

GE-414 Engine Deal

An agreement is expected between General Electric (GE), an American multinational corporation, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India.
The agreement aims to enable the licensed manufacture of GE’s F414 engine in India for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk2.
The F414 engine is part of GE’s suite of military aircraft engines and has been utilized by the US Navy for over 30 years.
It boasts a track record of over 1,600 engines delivered, accumulating more than 5 million engine flight hours across various missions.

The F414 engine belongs to the thrust class of 22,000 lb or 98 kN and incorporates advanced technologies such as Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC).
GE’s highlights the engine’s use of advanced materials and cooling techniques, improving performance and extending component life.

Eight nations, including the US, have aircraft powered by F414 engines, such as the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA18G Growler, as well as Saab’s Gripen E/F fighters.
The manufacturer’s website suggests the potential use of F414 engines for emerging platforms like the Korean KF-X.

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) selected the F414-INS6 engine for the LCA Tejas Mk2.
The LCA Tejas currently employs the GE-404-IN20 engine, which is a derivative of the GE-404 engine developed in the 1970s.

F414 engines may also be considered for the prototypes and initial batch of India’s fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
AMCA is a potential recipient of the engine, although it might face competition from other engine manufacturers.

Only a few countries, including the US, Russia, the UK, and France, possess the necessary technology and metallurgy for manufacturing engines that power combat aircraft.
Despite India’s pursuit of self-reliance in critical technologies, the country has not yet achieved mastery in manufacturing such engines.