ISLAMABAD: India’s ambitious Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program, acornerstone of its push for defence self-reliance, has encountered asignificant obstacle with uncertainties surrounding the supply of GE F414jet engines from the United States. The deal, intended to power theadvanced Tejas Mk-2 variant, faces prolonged negotiations and deliveryconcerns, raising questions about timelines for induction into the IndianAir Force. This development underscores the broader challenges India facesin securing critical propulsion technology amid global supply chainvulnerabilities and geopolitical considerations.
The GE F414 engine, delivering 98 kN of thrust, was selected years ago toenhance the Tejas Mk-2’s performance over the current F404-powered Mk-1Aversion. The proposed agreement, valued at approximately $1.5 billion,includes 80 percent technology transfer and aims for indigenous productionby Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). However, as of early 2026,commercial negotiations remain ongoing, with expectations that a finalclosure might occur by March 2026. Earlier supply disruptions for the F404engines, which delayed Tejas Mk-1A production by nearly two years due topost-pandemic supply chain issues, have heightened apprehensions aboutreliability.
Analysts point to a combination of factors contributing to the slowdown inthe F414 deal. These include bureaucratic hurdles in US export controls,pricing disagreements, and lingering effects from global events thatdisrupted aerospace manufacturing. For instance, previous F404 deliveriesto HAL were hampered by the need to restart dormant production lines andaddress bankruptcies among suppliers. Such experiences have prompted Indiandefence planners to prioritize diversification, avoiding over-dependence ona single foreign source for strategic assets like fighter jet engines.
In response to these uncertainties, India has actively exploredalternatives, with French aerospace giant Safran emerging as a prominentcontender. Safran, manufacturer of the M88 engine powering the Rafalefighter, has submitted proposals for co-production and even co-developmentof engines suitable for the Tejas Mk-2. Reports indicate that whileswitching engines would involve significant technicalreconfigurations—given the aircraft’s design optimization around theF414—Safran’s offer includes greater technology transfer and potential forfull intellectual property rights in related projects. This approach alignswith India’s long-term goal of building an independent aero-engineecosystem.
The Tejas program itself represents a major achievement in India’sindigenous defence capabilities, with the Mk-2 variant promising improvedrange, payload, and avionics. Yet, engine availability remains the criticalbottleneck. The Indian Air Force requires hundreds of engines for plannedsquadrons of Tejas Mk-2 and initial batches of the Advanced Medium CombatAircraft (AMCA), making timely access essential to address squadronshortages and counter regional threats. Delays could push back firstflights and induction targets, originally anticipated in the late 2020s.
Defence experts emphasize that India’s strategy now balances immediateneeds with strategic autonomy. While the GE F414 remains the baselinechoice for the Tejas Mk-2 due to its proven performance and integrationadvantages, exploring Safran options serves as a hedge. Recentcollaborations with France, including joint work on higher-thrust enginesfor future platforms, reflect a broader shift toward partners offeringdeeper technology sharing. This diversification is seen as vital in an erawhere supply chains are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and economicdisruptions.
The situation also highlights the complexities of international defencepartnerships. The United States has been a key ally in India’s militarymodernization, with deals like the F414 underscoring deepening ties.However, past instances of delayed approvals and conditional transfers havefueled calls for greater self-reliance. Indian officials, including thosefrom HAL and the Defence Research and Development Organisation, havereaffirmed commitment to the GE path while pursuing parallel avenues tomitigate risks.
Ultimately, the resolution of the F414 challenges will shape the trajectoryof India’s fighter aviation program. Swift progress in negotiations couldaccelerate production and bolster air power, while prolonged issues mayaccelerate the pivot toward alternatives like Safran. As India navigatesthese propulsion dilemmas, the focus remains on achieving operationalreadiness without compromising on technological sovereignty in anincreasingly contested regional landscape.
Source:https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/an-engine-trouble-can-erupt-in-india-us-ties/articleshow/124122464.cms
Tags: India, United States, France, GE F414, Tejas Mk-2, Safran
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