GE issued a statement Friday welcoming the selection of its GE-414 engine for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2, which was announced by the Indian Price Negotiating Committee on Thursday.
“We are extremely pleased with the ADA’s decision, and are confident that India’s technical expertise will help enhance the F414-powered LCA’s mission superiority well into the 21st century,” said Tony Mathis, Vice President of Lynn Military Systems programs, the GE unit which manufactures the engines.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is to acquire 99 units of the F414-GE-INS6 afterburning engines and kits to power the Mk II version of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) for the Indian Air Force. The engine includes a ‘Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) and added single-engine safety features’, according to the statement.
John Flannery, President & CEO, GE India said, “GE Aviation will supply the initial batch of F414-GE-INS6 engines and the rest will be manufactured in India under transfer of technology arrangement.“
The statement recaps that earlier orders included 24 units of the F404-GE-IN20 engines in 2007, besides a 2004 purchase of 17 units to power a limited series of operational production aircraft and naval prototypes. The GE-414, it says, has clocked more than a million flight hours on the more than 415 US Navy F/A-18 aircraft, with more than 1,000 units having been delivered.
Could be Bharath. But GE is required to transfer technology for the manufacture of the 414 engines in India. And they wouldn’t make the offer without the all-clear from the US government.
This sure is a big blow to Eurofighter typhoon no question about it. But, get this, the Brits will be waiting like hawks to offer their engine if US says ‘No’ to transfer of Technology to Indians. Classic!