General Electric’s aerospace unit, in collaboration with India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics, has announced a significant agreement to manufacture engines in India for the Indian Air Force’s fighter jets. This announcement coincided with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, signifying the importance of the deal.

Referred to as “historic” and “trailblazing” by officials, this agreement is expected to be the most notable among several anticipated agreements between the two countries during Modi’s visit.

Engine Overview: The F414 Engine

The engine at the center of this collaboration is General Electric’s F414, a reliable engine that has been utilized by the U.S. Navy’s aircraft for over three decades. The F414 has been and will continue to be used in fighter jets of various nations, including the United States, Sweden, Australia, Kuwait, Brazil, South Korea, India, and Indonesia. GE proudly reports that they have delivered over 1,600 F414 engines, accumulating more than 5 million flight hours. Additionally, the engine is also manufactured in South Korea.

India’s Military Requirements

India’s journey to develop an indigenous engine for their light combat aircraft, the “Tejas,” began in the 1980s but has faced significant challenges. Hindustan Aeronautics turned to GE’s F404 engine, the predecessor of the F414, to power the Tejas in the mid-2000s. To date, 75 F404 engines have been delivered, with an additional 99 worth $716 million on order for the Tejas Mark 1. The Tejas Mark 2, currently in development, requires a more powerful engine, for which HAL has procured eight F414 engines. The F414 engine will also be instrumental in the creation of India’s next generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

India’s Air Force seeks to strengthen its fighter squadrons, which have decreased to 31 from the desired 42. By manufacturing indigenous jets powered by domestic engines, New Delhi aims to meet its target while keeping costs manageable and avoiding dependence on foreign suppliers.

U.S.-India Collaboration

Over the past two decades, India and the United States, once on opposing sides of the Cold War, have grown closer through strong trade, defense, and technology partnerships, as well as geopolitical alignment. Designating India as a “major defense partner” in 2016, the United States has witnessed India’s military purchases exceed $20 billion in 2020, a substantial increase from nearly zero in 2008.

India faces military threats from both China and Pakistan and remains the world’s largest arms importer. While Russia has historically been a major arms supplier to India, the country has diversified its sources over the years, including France, Israel, and the United States. The United States seeks to deepen its ties with India as a counterbalance to China’s increasing global influence. Moreover, Washington aims to reduce India’s reliance on Russian military supplies and is willing to share critical American technologies, such as the F414 engine, which are typically reserved for close allies.

Future Prospects

The GE-HAL agreement to co-produce F414 engines in India is subject to approvals from the U.S. government and legislative bodies. The extent of technology transfer from GE to HAL, including potentially sensitive technology related to managing high engine temperatures, remains undisclosed. Initial deliveries of F414 engines are anticipated within the next three years from the United States, while HAL establishes a production facility in India. The first flight of the Tejas Mark 2 is expected in 2026, with full-scale production of the F414 in India and the Tejas Mark 2 projected for the early part of the next decade.