Biden administration notifies US Congress about GE-F414 engine deal with India

[NG Missile Vessels]

In a major development, the US State Department has notified the US Congress about the Biden Administration’s decision to manufacture GE-F 414 jet engines through full transfer of technology (ToT) route in India for LCA Mark II aircraft to be produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The notification was sent to Congress on July 28 and the deal will stand approved after 30 days as per requirement.

The MoU between GE and HAL was signed on June 22, 2023 in Washington during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three day visit to the US. It is understood that the US Congress will approve the engine manufacturing deal as it is in no way detrimental to American national security interests.

While the Modi government is tight-lipped about the entire deal, it is understood that the GE F 414 engines will be used to power the LCA MK II, the AMCA Mark I and Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for Indian aircraft carrier developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO. It is learnt that at least 100 engines will be required to produce LCA Mark II fighter with some 200 engines needed for twin engine AMCA Mark I and TEDBF at the turn of this decade. The ADA is expected to develop the prototype of LCA Mark II by the end of 2024 with the program going on as per schedule.

According to the joint statement issued at the end of PM Modi’s June visit to the US, both the leaders have committed their governments to working collaboratively and expeditiously to support the advancement of “this unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal.” While the LCA Mark I is powered by GE-404 engines, the much powerful GE-414 engine powers the multiple combat proven US F-18 multirole jet fighter.

Washington watchers told HT that the US Congress has a window of 30 days to raise clarifications if any to the deal and will be approved by the end of this month. Given that India-US are close allies and partners in QUAD and in the Indo-Pacific, the notification to US Congress is seen as a formality as the bilateral relationship has had bipartisan consensus since the turn of the century.

The GE-F-414 deal was worked out by National Security Advisor Ajit Dioval with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan during the inaugural dialogue of initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) on January 31, 2023 in Washington.

Biden administration notifies US Congress about GE-F414 engine deal with India

Some 100 GE-414 engines will be needed to power LCA Mark II, whose prototype will be unveiled by the ADA in 2024-2025.

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[MirageBlue]

This will further clear the decks for the manufacture of the Tejas Mk2 prototypes which were held up for many months with the Govt insisting on an "indigenously manufactured" engine for the Tejas Mk2. If the F-414 engine deal had failed to materialize for any reason the whole program would've been been made unfeasible.

 

[nahtanbob]

Is 500 engines enough ? it seems like too little

 

[NG Missile Vessels]

This will further clear the decks for the manufacture of the Tejas Mk2 prototypes which were held up for many months with the Govt insisting on an "indigenously manufactured" engine for the Tejas Mk2. If the F-414 engine deal had failed to materialize for any reason the whole program would've been been made unfeasible.

 

[IceCold]

But it remains indigenous while JF17 is merely a paint job done by PAF

 

[MirageBlue]

Is 500 engines enough ? it seems like too little

The numbers are not insignificant. At $3.7 million each, 500 engines is well over $1.85 billion, although much of it will have to be spent on sourcing from GE's Indian suppliers and HAL.

200 engines plus spares for the Tejas Mk2 fleet is almost certain. Another 130-150 for the TEDBF (given that at least 60-70 TEDBF will be eventually ordered) and at least 100-120 for the AMCA Mk1 before it moves to the newer indigenous 5th gen turbofan that will be developed with Safran for the AMCA Mk2.

But it remains indigenous while JF17 is merely a paint job done by PAF

If you want to compare the extent of indigenous Indian designed and developed equipment on the Tejas versus Pakistani designed and developed equipment on the JF-17, please feel free to start that discussion.

 

[nahtanbob]

The numbers are not insignificant. At $3.7 million each, 500 engines is well over $1.85 billion, although much of it will have to be spent on sourcing from GE's Indian suppliers and HAL.

I am not thinking of the cost. Are the numbers enough ? I realize 500 can be bumped to a higher number

 

[Skull and Bones]

Is 500 engines enough ? it seems like too little

I believe there will be revisions in numbers, given that there will be a requirement for spare engines and mid-life upgrade engines.

 

[indushek]

I am not thinking of the cost. Are the numbers enough ? I realize 500 can be bumped to a higher number

At least 200 LCA Mk2 - 200, current expectations which will go up to maintain squadron strength of 42 squadrons.

AMCA Mk1 - They say 40 but this will go up too, as the higher powered engine deal done with Saffran will take time to mature and come into service. 80 engines even if its 40 for Mk1, given its a twin engine

TED BF - As of now estimated to be 50 , but these are for existing two aircraft carriers. With the third coming up in next decade, take it to 75. Then there is the shore based requirement, So this goes easily to above 100. Take a conservative number of 150 for now. That's 300 engines here

Am sure some spares will be kept aside, so very conservatively we are seeing 600 engines around. Now there is a LIFT platform being planned by HAL, and they want a powerful engine for that as well. Overall the requirement will end up, somewhere near 1000 engines in next decade or two.

Also remember, there is talk of engine overhaul for F 414 here. So this deal isn't just for new ones, but a MRO facility as well much like for Predators.

 

[MirageBlue]

I am not thinking of the cost. Are the numbers enough ? I realize 500 can be bumped to a higher number

That would depend on how many orders are placed for the Tejas Mk2, TEDBF and AMCA Mk1.