Boost to ‘Make in India’ as Tejas Engine Production Nears Agreement

In a significant development for India’s defence sector, a deal between GE Aerospace and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for manufacturing fighter jet engines is expected to be finalised soon. The two companies have reached a technical understanding on the co-production of F414 jet engines for fighter aircraft. According to an official update, substantial progress has been made in negotiations that have been ongoing for the past three years. GE Aerospace and HAL had initially signed an agreement on the F414 engine during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States in 2023. Since then, both sides have been engaged in detailed discussions on finer aspects, including technology transfer (ToT). The latest developments indicate that both parties have now reached consensus on key technical issues. The agreement is being viewed as a major milestone under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, particularly in the defence manufacturing sector. In addition to the F414 agreement, GE Aerospace has also signed another important contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF). This agreement involves the establishment of a domestic depot facility in India for the maintenance of F404-IN20 engines, which currently power the IAF’s Tejas fleet. Previously, India relied on foreign suppliers for the repair and maintenance of major engines, leading to higher costs and longer turnaround times. With the new facility to be set up within the country, maintenance operations will be handled domestically by the IAF, while GE Aerospace will provide training and necessary equipment. In a statement, GE Aerospace said the agreement marks a significant step towards strengthening economic growth and advancing India-US cooperation. It also extends a partnership of over 40 years between GE and HAL. The company added that the new facility is expected to significantly improve engine turnaround time and enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force.