Source : India Today
BIG: US Congress clears historic deal to jointly make jet engines for Indian Air Force
In a major push for India-US defence cooperation, the United States Congress has cleared GE Aerospace’s agreement with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.
The deal was struck between India and the US during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the United States in June.
Now, the US Congress has given its nod to the Biden administration to pursue the GE jet engine deal with India, paving the way for the implementation of the agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) that includes unprecedented technology transfer, manufacturing of jet engines in India and licensing arrangements.
WHY A GAME CHANGER?
Under this deal, GE Aerospace will transfer 80 per cent of its technology to India for the production of F414 fighter jet engines. This technology transfer is aimed to enhance the operational performance of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) MKII. The pact entails the joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India, under the Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 program.
The partnership is considered a “big game changer” by HAL Chief CB Ananthakrishnan, as it forms the basis for future indigenous engines that will power military jets.
The deal also includes the co-production of 99 jet engines, which will be less costly due to the technology transfer.
The F414 engines are renowned for their reliability and performance.
GE Aerospace, which has been on Indian soil for over four decades now, will also get a boost to its volume of facilities here, including providing engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing.
The US giant has previously said it would continue to collaborate with the Indian government on the AMCA Mk2 engine program.
