India aims to finalize the agreement by March, before the end of the fiscal year. India is looking to strike a deal with GE for 99 GE-414 engines.
Washington: India signed a deal with an American company GE for the GE-414 engine for its Indigenous Tejas fighter jet. However, after failing to sell F-16 fighter jets to India, the United States is now taking steps that are raising some serious questions. According to the reports, the American company has been delaying the supply of engines for the Tejas fighter jet for several months.
The company is claiming that it is facing difficulties in acquiring components. Due to GE’s repeated delays, India’s fighter jet planning is getting disrupted—this at a time when enemy nations like Pakistan, China, and Bangladesh are continuously developing fifth-generation fighter jets.
Now, GE has made another major demand from India, stating that India will need to pay an additional USD 50 million for the agreement.
A team from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is heading to the US following GE’s demand. During this visit, the Indian team will hold discussions with American company officials regarding the GE-414 engine. India aims to finalize the agreement by March, before the end of the fiscal year. India is looking to strike a deal with GE for 99 GE-414 engines.
This number could increase if this engine is selected for India’s fifth-generation fighter jet. According to an IDRW report, the American company has now demanded an additional USD 50 million.
Delays in Tejas halt plans for Mirage, Jaguar, and MiG
According to Indian officials, the technology transfer offered by GE can benefit India in this sector. GE claims that if India does not finalize the deal, the chances of technology transfer will increase significantly. As of 2023, the total agreement could amount to USD 1 billion. HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) has now requested several documents from GE to review its proposal. This GE engine is to be used in the LCA Tejas Mark 1A and Mark 2.
It is important to note that due to delays in GE’s engine delivery, India’s LCA Mark 2 program, which is a 4.5-generation aircraft meant to replace the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fighter jets, could fall behind.
India aims to achieve self-reliance in fighter jet development by sourcing engines from the US, but GE’s delays appear to be stalling several projects. India is now working on developing its own reliable engines and collaborating with global partners.
The GE engine deal was also part of this effort. Only a few countries in the world possess the capability to manufacture fighter jet engines. The US has been trying for decades to sell fighter jets to India, but successive governments in New Delhi have not granted approval to such deals.
