GE Proposes Advanced F414 Engine for India’s AMCA Mk2
At the recent Aero India 2025 airshow in Bengaluru, GE Aerospace unveiled its proposal to supply an advanced variant of the F414 engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Mk2. The company expressed its readiness to collaborate with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to develop a more powerful engine core tailored to the AMCA Mk2’s requirements.
GE’s Commitment to AMCA Mk1
GE Aerospace has already secured a contract to deliver 99 F414-GE-INS6 engines for the Tejas Mk2 fighter, a deal valued at $716 million and finalized in 2023. This agreement includes substantial technology transfer and co-production with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The same F414-GE-INS6 engine, generating approximately 98 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust, is slated to power the initial production of the AMCA Mk1. This engine meets the Mk1’s design specifications, which feature stealth capabilities, supercruise, and advanced integrated electronic systems.
Need for Enhanced Thrust in AMCA Mk2
While the F414-GE-INS6 is suitable for the AMCA Mk1, the more advanced AMCA Mk2 necessitates an engine with higher thrust to fulfill its fifth-generation fighter capabilities. Recognizing this, GE Aerospace has proposed developing a successor to the F414-GE-INS6 in partnership with GTRE. This new engine would feature a redesigned core, aiming to deliver over 110 kN of thrust, thereby enhancing the aircraft’s performance and operational envelope.
Collaborative Development and Intellectual Property
The proposed collaboration between GE and GTRE focuses on creating an engine that integrates seamlessly into the existing AMCA design, minimizing the need for extensive airframe modifications. This approach is intended to control costs and expedite the development timeline. Regarding intellectual property rights, GE has indicated that any newly developed engine would entail shared IP, reflecting the joint contributions of both entities. This partnership aims to bolster India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities while leveraging GE’s expertise in advanced engine technologies.
The AMCA Mk2 is projected to be unveiled by 2028, with full-scale production anticipated in the mid-2030s. The successful development of a high-thrust engine is pivotal to meeting this timeline and ensuring the aircraft meets the Indian Air Force’s operational requirements. As discussions progress, the collaboration between GE Aerospace and GTRE is poised to play a crucial role in advancing India’s fifth-generation fighter program.
