Sarosh Bana

Opinion | US-India fighter jet engine deal takes strategic ties to new heights

The deal to transfer American technology to make advanced jet engines in India elevates the bilateral defence partnership at a time of US-China tensions

In the longer term, it could boost India’s air force capabilities in its neighbourhood and affect Russia’s influence as a military supplier to New Delhi

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Indian and US soldiers take a break during a high-altitude joint training exercise in Tapovan, Uttarakhanda, in the cold, mountainous terrain close to India’s disputed border with China, on November 30, 2022. Photo: AP

Sarosh Bana

Published: 3:00am, 13 Jul 2023Updated: 3:15am, 13 Jul 2023

Among the clutch of US-India deals signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month was a groundbreaking agreement on the joint production of advanced US fighter jet engines for Indian combat planes. The deal is not only part of the US’ attempt to draw New Delhi closer under the Biden administration’s strategy in its conflict with Beijing, but in the longer term will also boost India’s military capabilities in its neighbourhood and affect Russia’s role in its defence supplies.

The memorandum of understanding, signed between GE Aerospace and the state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) based in Bangalore, envisages the joint production of GE’s F414 engines in India for HAL’s Tejas Mark 2 light combat aircraft. “This trailblazing initiative to manufacture F414 engines in India will enable greater transfer of US jet engine technology than ever before,” said the US-India joint statement.

About 80 per cent of the technology will be transferred, up from 58 per cent during 2012 negotiations, according to unnamed official sources cited in the Indian media.

The manufacturing licence agreement has already been submitted to Congress. The first engine is expected to be rolled out three years after the contract is ready, following the finalisation of commercial terms, an Indian defence ministry official told local media.

GE Aerospace is not new to India and has been working with HAL and the Aeronautical Development Agency since 1986, supplying its F404 engines for India’s Tejas planes.

India began developing the Tejas planes as part of its programme to phase out its old Soviet-made aircraft. GE’s F404 engines were meant to tide India over until it developed its own fighter jet engine. But the development of the Kaveri, as the indigenous engine was called, foundered, and GE’s F404 engine and, later, its F414 engine, which has been used by US navy aircraft for more than 30 years, became part of the Tejas programme.