US Congress clears way for making GE-414 aircraft engine in India

Technology transfer agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s US visit

Engines to be installed in indigenous Tejas MK-2 and fifth generation AMCA fighter jets

New Delhi (HS). The US Congress has approved the GE-414 aircraft engine deal signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last US visit. Now, through technology transfer, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be able to manufacture GE-414 engines in India. India has signed a deal for 99 GE-414 with the US for Tejas MK-2 fighter jet. HAL already has 8 F-414 engines for making prototypes.

The much-awaited project was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Modi, on August 31 last year. After this, the prototype of indigenous multirole fighter aircraft Tejas Mark-2 was expected to arrive by the end of this year, but the development of the prototype was hanging in the balance due to non-finalization of the engine. After the agreement to develop GE-414 aircraft engine in India during Prime Minister Modi’s recent US visit, now with the approval of US Congress, the way has been cleared for the manufacturing of LCA Tejas Mark-2.

In the same month, the Government of India approved the construction of 6 prototype aircraft of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mark-II. DRDO has decided to power both the LCA Tejas Mark-II and the fifth generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) with the same engine. The Air Force has also given green signal to the design of the fighter AMCA after conducting all kinds of tests. Many parts of the aircraft have already been made. Initially, a total of four prototypes will be built and its first flight is scheduled for 2026. That is, then the fifth generation indigenous fighter aircraft will land in the Indian sky and create a new stir among the enemies. With the approval of the CCS for the design and prototype development of the AMCA, the process of manufacturing the prototype of the AMCA would also be expedited.

Defense Ministry sources say that the prototype development of Tejas Mark-II is estimated to take around 5-6 years. HAL will manufacture 230 LCA Mark-II aircraft over a period of 15 years or more. This massive project is estimated to cost thousands of crores of rupees. The LCA Mark-2 program will boost India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities and also strengthen the Air Force’s air fleet. The Indian Air Force can initially order 108 aircraft. Later their final count may be 230, after which there will be fighter aircraft in the Air Force fleet by 2030.