The deal, now in the last stages of discussion, includes the acquisition of 113 new F404-in20 engines to power the native light fighter (LCA) MK1A. According to sources, it is expected that the agreement between GE and HAL is expected to be completed on next month.
The order for 113 engines follows the additional requirement of the Indian Air Force for the LCA MK1A, after approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) earlier this month.
This last contract builds on earlier deals for the LCA program. In 2021, India signed an $ 716 million agreement with GE for 99 F404 motors to power the first party of 83 LCA MK1A hunters with the Air Force. The deliveries under that contract are underway, which confirms the hall that earlier delays from the Supply Chain have been resolved at GE. HAL now receives two engines per month, sufficient to support production lines that can supply 24 aircraft annually.
The new order for 113 engines will enable HAL to maintain the continuity in its production schedule and meet the requirements for another 97 LCA MK1A hunters who were deleted by the CCS on 19 August. The approval was part of an RS 66,000 crore order placed with a hall, which underlines the government’s confidence in the indigenous fighter plane program.
The LCA MK1A variant, with radars of the next generation, electronic warfield systems and refueling in the air, marks an important upgrade over previous versions. The Indian Air Force has searched extra figures to strengthen its Fighter Squadron fleet, which has fallen to the lowest level since 1965. Alongid The F404 -Deal are negotiations for a larger contract with the F414 engines from GE, which are intended for the upcoming LCA MK2 hunters. These engines will be manufactured in India under a technology transfer scheme. The agreement, with a value of more than $ 1.5 billion, provides more than 80% transfer of technology. Prototype production of the LCA MK2 has already started, with serial production planned to start by 2027. The MK2 variant is expected to provide longer endurance and higher capacity for weapons compared to earlier models. The indigenous hunting program of India also includes the planned advanced multirole fighter plane (AMCA). In June, the government invited Indian companies to work together in development and contributes to building prototypes of the next generation platform.
Together, the new $ 1 billion F404-in20-engine contract, the upcoming F414 technology transfer agreement and the extensive LCA MK1A orderbook Mark one of the biggest pushes for the production of domestic hunting in recent years. For HAL, these deals considerably strengthen its role in complying with the long -term combat aircraft needs of India.
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