GE Aerospace inks pact with HAL; fighter jet engines to be made in India now
India-US mega deal: Amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the US, GE Aerospace has inked a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.
Aerospace's F414 engines will be co-produced in India to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Mk2, according to the new agreement.
The agreement "includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India," according to a press note from General Electric. The US firm stated that it was still working with the government "to receive the necessary export authorization" for the same.
The agreement also advances GE Aerospace's previous commitment to build 99 engines for the Indian Air Force as part of the LCA Mk2 program.
The US-based firm stated that the MoU with HAL to produce fighter aircraft engines for the IAF is a significant milestone during PM Modi's official state visit to the US and a critical component in enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.
The MoU was announced ahead of PM Mod's bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden on Thursday.
"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.
"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."
According to GE Aerospace, over 1,600 F414 engines have been delivered globally.
According to the statement, GE Aerospace has been operating in India for more than four decades, with wide involvement in the industry that includes engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing. In addition to potential new work in India, the announcement is expected to increase activity at a number of US facilities that already support work on the F414 engine.
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- ANI
