GE Aerospace stated on Thursday that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force, which is a significant development timed to coincide with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States.
The agreement covers the possible cooperative manufacturing of F414 engines from GE Aerospace in India.
In a press release, GE Aerospace stated that it is still working with the US authorities to obtain the required export authorization for this. The Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme of the Indian Air Force includes the endeavour.
According to the US firm, PM Modi’s official state visit to the US and the MoU with HAL to develop fighter aircraft engines for the Indian Air Force mark a significant turning point in bilateral defence cooperation.
The MoU’s announcement came before PM Modi’s Thursday bilateral meetings with US Vice President Joe Biden.
H Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GE and CEO of GE Aerospace, said, “This is a historic agreement made possible by our long-standing partnership with India and HAL.”
“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.”
Over 1,600 F414 engines have reportedly been shipped worldwide, according to GE Aerospace.
According to the press release, GE Aerospace has been active in India for more than 40 years, participating in a variety of sectors of the market, including engineering, manufacture, avionics, services, and local sourcing. A number of US sites that now support work on the F414 engine would see more activity as a result of the news, in addition to potential new work in India, it said.
In order to promote the construction of India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) with F404 engines, GE joined forces with the Aeronautical construction Agency and HAL in 1986.
The LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk2 projects’ development and manufacturing later included GE Aerospace’s F404 and F414 aircraft.
99 additional F404 engines are on order for LCA Mk1A, bringing the total number of engines delivered to 75. According to a press release, eight F414 engines have been delivered as a result of a continuing LCA Mk2 development programme.
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