SYLLABUS
GS-3: Indigenization of technology and developing new technology
Context: India is close to finalising a $1 billion agreement with General Electric (GE) for 113 GE-404 engines to power Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A.
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• This deal follows the government’s clearance of a ₹62,000 crore order for 97 additional Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
• The deal reflects growing India–US defence cooperation, particularly in advanced aerospace technologies, complementing broader strategic ties.
Engine and Aircraft Deals under India’s Fighter Jet Programme
GE-404 Engines for Tejas Mk-1A
• A fresh deal worth approximately $1 billion has been finalised for 113 GE-404 engines to power 97 Tejas Mk-1A fighters.
• An earlier contract had already secured 99 GE-404 engines for the first batch of 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft.
• With this procurement, the total requirement of 212 GE-404 engines for 180 aircraft is met.
• General Electric is expected to deliver at the rate of two engines per month.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) aims to deliver 83 fighters from the first order by 2029–30 and the next 97 fighters by 2033–34.
• The procurement ensures continuity in Tejas Mk-1A production, which is aimed at phasing out the MiG-21 fleet and strengthening IAF squadron strength.
Engines for Future Fighters
• HAL is also negotiating a deal with General Electric for approximately 200 GE-414 engines, valued at $1.5 billion.
- F414 is a more powerful, larger derivative of the F404, offering significantly higher thrust (98 kN for F414 vs. 84 kN for the F404).
• Out of these, 162 engines are earmarked for the LCA Mk-2 programme and 10 for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) prototypes.
• The deal is expected to include nearly 80% transfer of technology, enabling critical know-how in high-end engine manufacturing.
• Additionally, India is also pursuing an indigenous fighter engine project in partnership with French firm Safran to power its 5th-gen AMCA.
About Tejas Aircraft
• Tejas Mark (Mk) 1 is a 4.5 generation, lightweight, high-agility supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft.
• It is a single-seater fighter aircraft with a single engine.
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) led the design and development of the aircraft under the light combat aircraft (LCA) programme, with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) working as the prime industrial contractor.
• The LCA’s maiden flight was successfully completed in January 2001, and it was named Tejas in 2003. It was inducted into the force in 2016.
LCA Tejas Mk-1A
• It is an advanced, indigenously developed, 4.5-generation multi-role fighter jet.
• Upgrades over Original Tejas:
- Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for superior situational awareness and targeting.
- Upgraded Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC Mk1A) for enhanced handling and manoeuvrability.
- Unified Electronic Warfare Suite (UEWS) for improved survivability against modern threats.
- Increased weapon hardpoints, allowing greater payload capacity and mission flexibility.