Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, June 22: GE Aerospace stated today that it has reached an agreement with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to develop fighter aircraft engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the United States.
The agreement, which was concluded during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, was hailed by American aerospace as a significant milestone and noted that it will play a significant role in enhancing bilateral defence cooperation.
The collaboration, according to the US aerospace company, may entail collaborative production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India.
The supplier of aircraft engines stated that it was still working with the US authorities to obtain the required export authorization for the contract. It stated that the project was a part of the Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme of the Indian Air Force.
“This is a historic agreement made possible by our longstanding partnership with India and HAL,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace.
“We are proud to play a role in advancing President Biden and Prime Minister Modi’s vision of closer coordination between the two nations. Our F414 engines are unmatched and will offer important economic and national security benefits for both countries as we help our customers produce the highest quality engines to meet the needs of their military fleet,” he added.
The deal, according to the US company, will help GE Aerospace fulfil its prior commitment to deliver 99 engines for the Indian Air Force as part of the LCA Mk2 programme.
The F404 engine, which currently powers the LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk1A aircraft, and GE Aerospace’s selection for the prototype development, testing, and certification of the AMCA programme with our F414-INS6 engine, the aerospace giant claimed the MoU put it in a strong position to develop a family of products in India.
On the AMCA Mk2 engine programme, GE declared that it will keep working with the Indian government.
