GE engine deal to help India bridge tech gap: HAL chief

The joint production of GE Aerospace's F414 engines in India will help the country overcome a striking technology gap, lay the foundation for indigenous development of bigger jet engines, and possibly open doors to exports, HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan said, adding that the American company and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited could hammer out a deal within a year.

- Rahul Singh

"We have lacked the capabilities required to build jet engines," he said in an interview. "The deal we are negotiating with GE will help fix the shortcomings. It will bring advanced technologies into the country and form the basis of future engine programmes to meet the Indian Air Force's growing needs." GE and HAL signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington in June to produce 99 F414 engines for India's light combat aircraft (LCA) MK-2 programme during PM Narendra Modi's visit. The deal will involve 80% transfer of technology (ToT) and is estimated to be worth around $1 billion.