GE Aerospace, a subsidiary of American firm General Electric (GE), announced on Thursday that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the “joint production” of fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
A statement by GE Aerospace said that the MoU involved “potential joint production” of F414 engines for IAF’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 programme.
The company said that it “continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorization”.
It noted that it has been part of India’s LCA programme since the 1980s, having delivered over 170 engines for the Tejas MK1a programme.
It said that another eight engines have been delivered for the LCA Mk2 programme.
The American firm said that the new MoU would advance GE’s earlier commitment to build 99 engines for the IAF, of which eight have already been delivered.
The statement further noted that “GE will continue to collaborate with Indian government on the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2 engine program.”
India, which has the fifth-biggest air force in the world, doesn't have the technical expertize to manufacture fighter jet engines domestically.