Even as the delivery of GE-404 engines from US-based General Electric (GE) to be used in India's Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1A has been delayed, leading to a prolonged wait by the Indian Air Force for the fighter jet, it now emerges that the project estimate of Tejas Mark 2 may go up.
According to news agency ANI, this is because there are indications that the price deal for GE-414 engines to be used in Tejas Mark 2 is likely to go up due to cost escalation.
GE-414 is a high-performance afterburning turbofan engine, known for its application in various advanced fighter aircraft. According to the company, “The F414 is a potential powerplant for emerging platforms such as the Korean KF-X and the Indian Medium Combat Aircraft, as well as other potential applications.”
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State-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has reportedly been in talks with GE for the GE-414 engines. Quoting sources, ANI reported that the price of the deal for the engines is likely to go up in views of the ongoing discussions between HAL and GE.
The delay in the supply of GE-404 engines was due to supply chain issues faced by the US company. The IAF has reportedly expressed its displeasure over the delay in the delivery of the fighter jets which would have helped it to meet the contemporary combat requirements.
In 2023, HAl and GE had signed a a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which included the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India. According to GE, F404 and F414 have been part of development and production programs of LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk2 programmes. "In total, 75 F404 engines have been delivered and another 99 are on order for LCA Mk1A. Eight F414 engines have been delivered as part of an ongoing development program for LCA Mk2," the company had said in a statement.
