India to Finalise F‑414 Jet Engine Deal with US by March 2026
India is on course to finalise a major defence agreement with GE Aerospace of the United States for the domestic production of F‑414 jet engines by March 2026. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which will spearhead the production, has confirmed that the discussions around the critical technology transfer component of the deal are nearly complete, with only the commercial terms left to be ironed out.
F‑414 Engine Production in India
The F‑414 is an advanced turbofan engine generating nearly 98 kilonewtons of thrust and is set to power the upcoming Tejas Mk‑2 fighter jets and the initial prototypes of India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Once signed, this deal will enable HAL to manufacture these engines within India under a licensing arrangement.
According to HAL Chairman C.B. Ananthakrishnan, the discussions with GE Aerospace have been progressing steadily, and India is expected to gain access to around 80% of the engine’s core production technologies. The deal represents one of the most ambitious technology-sharing initiatives ever offered by the United States to a defence partner.
Tejas Mk‑2 and AMCA Boost
The Tejas Mk‑2 program will see a significant upgrade over the current Mk‑1A version, including higher thrust, increased payload capacity, modern avionics, and enhanced electronic warfare capabilities. The F‑414 will replace the current F‑404 engines that power the Mk‑1 and Mk‑1A variants.
The same engine will also be used to power early prototypes of the AMCA, India’s stealth fighter program, until an indigenous powerplant is developed. The move is intended to bridge the gap left by the unsuccessful Kaveri engine program and help accelerate timelines for India’s next-generation combat aircraft.
Delivery and Supply Chain Progress
HAL confirmed that six Tejas Mk‑1A jets are ready for delivery and awaiting engine shipments. Although delays in the supply of F‑404 engines from GE affected earlier schedules, deliveries are expected to pick up in the current financial year with 12 engines scheduled for dispatch. Once stabilised, HAL plans to scale production to 16 Tejas aircraft annually.
Strategic Significance
This engine deal is a key pillar in India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Co-production of the F‑414 not only reduces dependency on imports but also strengthens India’s military capabilities amid evolving regional security dynamics.
The partnership with GE Aerospace marks a pivotal moment in Indo-US defence cooperation, potentially opening the door to future collaborations on high-end aerospace platforms.
What’s Next
With final negotiations underway, India aims to sign the commercial contracts before March 2026. Production is expected to begin within two years of the deal’s conclusion, with the engines likely being manufactured at a HAL facility in Bengaluru or a newly designated defence corridor.
