During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United States, a significant
announcement was made by GE Aerospace. The company revealed that it had entered
into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) to manufacture fighter jet engines specifically designed for the Indian Air Force.
The joint statement issued after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi
and President Joe Biden said. “This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F-414
engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before,”
GE Aerospace has also stated that it continues to
work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorization for this.
In this video, Defense Updates analyses why the GE F414 engine deal is crucial for India?
Let's get into the details.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which is an Indian public sector aerospace and defense
company, is working to develop the Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet, the successor of the Tejas Mark 1.
Tejas Mark 1 is powered by GE F404-GE-IN20 turbofan that produces a maximum of
19,000 lbf (84 kN) of thrust with afterburner.
Tejas Mark 2 will be bigger and will require a more powerful engine
India has not been able to develop its own engine
suitable for the aircraft and hence turned to foreign manufacturers.
French, British, and US companies were in the race
to produce the engines for the Indian fighter. GE won the race.
It is to be noted that Russian engines were not considered most likely due to issues with them.
Comptroller and Auditor General of India or CAG audit observed that as of September 2014,
a total of 65 engines (42 with 21 aircraft and 23 spares) had been acquired.
However, since its induction in February 2010, 40 engines (representing 62% of 65 engines) had
been withdrawn from service/rejected due to design-related defects/deficiencies.
The CAG report noted in 2016, “The issue has serious flight
safety implications since in-flight engine defects had led to ten cases of single-engine landings.”
Operational availability of the MiG-29Ks between 2014 and 2016 fluctuated from 15.93% to 37.63%,
while that of the MiG-29KUB trainers was between 21.20% and 47.14%.
So, getting engine technology from Russia was not an option that India wanted to pursue,
though the exact details are not in the public domain.
The F414 is an American afterburning turbofan engine in the 22,000-pound
(98 kN) thrust class produced by GE Aerospace (formerly GE Aviation).
F414 was developed from the F412 non-afterburning turbofan planned
for the A-12 Avenger II, before it was canceled.
F412 non-afterburning was itself developed from F404.
Since its introduction, different variants of F414 have been developed.
Several modern combat jets like Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Boeing E/A-18G
Growler, Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen NG are powered by F414 engines and 1,600+ have been produced.
The first engine will roll out three years after the contract is ready.
As per some reports, the deal will see 80% tech transfer.
Some of the key technologies that would be transferred to India include special
coatings for corrosion; casting, machining and coating for Single Crystal for turbine
blades; casting, machining and coating of nozzle guide vanes.
India is looking to retire its almost vintage Mig 21 squadrons and replace them with Tejas.
Indian Air Force is expected to induct 200 Tejas Mark-2 aircraft.
Given the situation, the Tejas Mark 2 becomes very important.
The Tejas Mark 2 will have an increased payload carrying capacity and internal fuel capacity,
more external hardpoints, improved combat range, a completely redesigned cockpit,
and an integrated infrared search and track (IRST) system, in addition to the AESA radar.
A dependable engine is required and hence the F414 Jet Engine deal is crucial.