GE Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force. This milestone is part of strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries, amidst Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US.
GE Aerospace is considering joint production of its F414 engines in India, as part of the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 program. The company is working with the U.S. government to obtain export authorization. GE has been operating in India for over four decades, focusing on engines, avionics, services, engineering, manufacturing, and local sourcing.
The announcement will increase US facilities to support F414 engine increase, following collaboration with GE, Aeronautical Development Agency, and HAL on India’s Light Combat Aircraft. 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 longstanding partnership with India and HAL”.In 1986, GE collaborated with the Aeronautical Development Agency and HAL to develop India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) using F404 engines. 75 delivered and 99 on order, with eight F414 engines in development for LCA Mk2.
