GE jet engine deal a game changer; will engage private sector: HAL
The fighter jet engine technology deal with the US is a game changer that will take India ahead in the coming decades and will become the basis of future indigenous engines that will power military aircraft, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chief CB Ananthakrishnan told ET.
Explaining in detail the landmark pact to manufacture GE Aviation's F 414 INS6 engines in India that was announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, the senior executive said HAL will engage with the private sector as well to expedite production of the engines in India.
"This is a big game changer as far as engine technology is concerned. So far we had design and development capability for aircraft but did not have the capability to produce engines. The program with GE under transfer of technology will lead to a big tech absorption by the country and will become the basis of our future indigenously designed and developed engines," Ananthakrishnan said.
Valued at close to $1 billion, the deal will lead to an 80% technology transfer for the engines, which will include coating for the hot end of the engine as well as crystal blades and laser drilling technology.
The HAL CMD said technology absorption of such magnitude will take India ahead for the next few decades and the private sector will be a partner in the future as well. "We want to engage the private sector in a bigger way. If we have to do everything, it is going to take a longer period. If we engage the private ecosystem, things can happen much faster," he said.
The top executive shared that the first LCA Mk 2 fighter aircraft, which will be fitted with the GE 414 engine is scheduled for its inaugural flight in
December next year, with intense work underway to meet the deadline. "The production of the
LCA Mk2 should start by
2027-28. By that time we will be manufacturing the engines here. We may even be able to
further shorten this timeline," he said.
As part of the deal, 99 engines will be manufactured in India and will power the Mk2 variant of the Light Combat Aircraft. The Air Force has projected a demand for 120-130 of the Tejas Mk 2 fighters, which if accepted is likely to increase the size of the order beyond 99 engines. Besides, India is also developing twin engine deck-based fighters for the Navy that could also be powered by the F 414. The first two squadrons of the futuristic Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA) could also be powered by the same engine.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chief CB Ananthakrishnan stated that the partnership with US firm GE Aviation to manufacture GE's F414 INS6 fighter jet engines in India is a "big game changer" and will become the basis of future indigenous engines that will power military aircraft. The...
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@MirageBlue
LCA MK IA has ELTA radar and many new subsystems that need to be integrated, checked and certified fully.
That could be more demanding than perceived by many.
Hopefully, all these would have been fully tested by now, if the aircraft has to be delivered as per the timelines.
Majority of them will be integrated with Uttam AESA radar
