HAL, GE ink deal for supply of engines to power Tejas, Pg12.

Key Highlights:

• HAL and General Electric (GE) signed a deal for 113 F404-GE-IN20 engines to power LCA Tejas Mk 1A.
• The agreement includes a support package for the execution of the 97 LCA Mk 1A programme.
• The order for the 113 engines is valued at over $1 billion.
• HAL will supply 180 LCA Mk 1A to the IAF, with an initial order of 83 aircraft signed in 2021.
• Deliveries of the 83 LCA Mk1As are yet to begin, pending final certification including weapon integration and firing tests.

Detailed Insights:

• HAL and GE have been in negotiations for several months regarding the procurement of the 113 F404 engines for the LCA Mk 1A.
• HAL is also in talks with GE to finalize details for the joint production of F414 engines, which will power the Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 jets for the IAF.
• An order for an additional 97 aircraft was signed in September.
• HAL has received four F404 engines from GE.
• LCA Tejas Mk-1A undertook its first public sortie at the Hindustan Aeronautics facility in Nashik last month.

Key Concepts Involved:

• LCA Tejas Mk 1A: A light combat aircraft indigenously built by India's HAL.
• F404-GE-IN20 engine: A turbofan engine manufactured by General Electric, used to power the LCA Tejas Mk 1A.
• HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited): Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company.