Tejas MK 1A boost: GE’s first F-404 engine delivery expected by March-end

New Delhi: With anxiety about trade tariffs between India and the US, there's some forward march on the defense front too as US aircraft engine giant GE will be handing over the first of the 99 GE-404 engines to HAL this month, two years late in terms of contract. Long-awaited GE-404 engines is powering Tejas Mark 1-A fighter planes, whose tardy delivery is causing a big worry in Indian Air Force (IAF).

Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies

The first of the contracted engines has already been placed on the test-bed and will be delivered by end of this month, two officials familiar with the situation told. 12 engines are to be received in 2025 with 20 engines each year to be supplied by GE annually to meet the 2021 99-engine contract valued at USD 716 million. Simultaneously, the HAL, in spite of its Indian PSU thinking, is collaborating with GE for production of the more powerful GE-414 engine in India under transfer of technology regime negotiated by iCET (initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies) between India and US National Security Advisors. The GE-414 engine will be powering the advanced multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA) being designed by the DRDO.

 Delivery of 83 LCA MK 1 A planes by HAL

With delays in delivery of 83 LCA MK 1 A planes by HAL and frustration expressed even by the IAF Chief over the same, the Defence Ministry under the Chairpersonship of Defence Secretary R. K. Singh established a committee to devise a business model for the proposed fifth generation fighter. This committee will not delve into any technical details of the proposed AMCA but will iron out a model that includes private sector involvement in the fifth-generation program.

GE-404 engines is powering Tejas Mark 1-A fighter planes

The entire concept is that India should have alternative options other than HAL to produce fighter jets to meet the nation's national security needs for the future. Even as US President Donald Trump has made a offer to provide India with a new fifth-generation F-35 fighter, the Indian eye is also casting a glance at the French alternative, which contemplates making the Rafale fighters and also the M-88 engine in India on a 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' path.