GE Aerospace And HAL To Produce Fighter Jet Engines For IAF. Five Things To Know

The Memorandum of Understanding builds upon GE Aerospace's previous commitment to manufacture 99 engines for the IAF under the LCA Mk2 programme.

IAF Tejas fighter jet taking off during the joint 'Exercise Cope India 2023' at the air force station in Kalaikunda.

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: General Electric (GE) Aerospace on Thursday said it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The development comes on the sidelines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ongoing state visit to the United States.

“This is a historic agreement made possible by our longstanding partnership with India and HAL,” H Lawrence Culp Jr, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace said in a press release. 

“We are proud to play a role in advancing President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s vision of closer coordination between the two nations. Our F414 engines are unmatched and will offer important economic and national security benefits for both countries as we help our customers produce the highest quality engines to meet the needs of their military fleet,” he said.

Five Things To Know About F414 Engines

• GE's F414 engines use advanced technologies to boost engine performance, durability, and reduce Life Cycle Cost (LCC) for next-generation combat aircraft.
• The F414 engines provide unrestricted engine performance with a rapid throttle response and no throttle restrictions, ensuring power is readily available when required.
• The F414 engine also offers a good afterburner light and stability, providing further thrust to be quickly accessed when needed.
• The F414 engines are designed to maximize time-on-wing, simplify maintenance, and keep Life Cycle Costs low.
• The engine's six-module design makes it reliable, easy to maintain, and allows for interchangeability. With no scheduled overhauls and on-condition maintenance, the F414 maximizes engine availability.

The agreement between HAL and GE Aerospace represents a significant step forward for GE's involvement in India.

The MoU builds upon GE Aerospace's previous commitment to manufacturing 99 engines for the IAF under the LCA Mk2 program. This new development positions GE Aerospace favourably to expand its product offerings in India, including the F404 engine currently used in the LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk1A aircraft.