New Delhi: Negotiations with the United States are ongoing to finalise a significant deal worth approximately US$1 billion with General Electric (GE), the American aerospace company that manufactures jet engines. Dr DK Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), stated that the agreement is expected to be signed by October this year, with negotiations currently in the final stages.
Deal for 113 engines to be signed
Regarding the contract for 113 GE-404 engines, the HAL chief told ANI, “We expect it to be signed in October. This deal will be worth more than US$1 billion. Contract negotiations have been completed, and the price has also been finalised. We are currently understanding the details of the deal and are yet to sign.”
HAL completes negotiations with General Electric
HAL has completed negotiations with General Electric for 113 engines and is awaiting the signing of the deal. This order includes 68 single-seat fighter aircraft and 29 dual-seat trainer aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2027-28. These deliveries will be completed over the next six years. HAL aims to have the first aircraft ready by October, with three already completed and undergoing final tests. HAL plans to produce 180 aircraft by 2032-33. According to Dr. Sunil, three aircraft are currently ready. “We have to conduct final tests. We hope these tests will be completed by October. I believe we will be able to deliver by October.”
180 aircraft to be produced by 2032-33
According to a report in The Economic Times, regarding the MoD signing a deal with HAL to procure 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft for the IAF, DK Sunil said, “We will complete all 180 aircraft by the financial year 2032-33. That is the target.” The F404-IN20 engines will power India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. HAL has already secured a contract for 99 engines for the initial 83 Tejas jets ordered by the Indian Air Force.
80% technology transfer for F414 engines
HAL is also negotiating an 80% technology transfer for GE’s F414 engines, which are intended to power the advanced LCA Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), in line with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. The LCA MK1A and MK2 are designed around the GE-414 engine, which will strengthen India-US defence ties through cooperation in aerospace and technology transfer.
This engine is a lethal force for the Tejas and AMCA
According to a report in the Navbharat Times, the LCA Tejas twin-seater is a lightweight, all-weather, multi-role 4.5-generation aircraft. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) stated that it combines modern concepts and technology. It is capable of rapidly attacking enemies within mountainous terrain. This capability has also worried Pakistan and China. Following the Tejas MK1A, India has also selected the more powerful F-414 engine from GE for the Tejas MK2 and initial versions of the fifth-generation Light Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter aircraft.
India, not China or Pakistan, will be number one in Asia
According to a report in the EurAsian Times, India is preparing to order 113 F-404 engines soon. Previously, orders for 99 such engines were placed in 2021, with 75 more to follow. If these new engine orders are received, India will become the largest country in Asia flying aircraft powered by F-404 engines, surpassing even Pakistan and China.
This deal is expected to boost HAL’s manufacturing capabilities and support India’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised for a significant boost with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signing a deal worth Rs 62,370 crore for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday.
HIGHLIGHTS
- India will overtake China and Pakistan in aerial warfare superiority.
- Powerful jet engines will transform Tejas and AMCA into enemy killers.
- Negotiations worth $1 billion are ongoing with GE to finalise a deal.
- The agreement is expected to be signed by October this year.
HAL has completed negotiations with General Electric for 113 engines and is awaiting the signing of the deal. This order includes 68 single-seat fighter aircraft and 29 dual-seat trainer aircraft, with deliveries beginning in 2027-28.
