Big boost to India’s defence sector as India signs major Indo-French Defence deal, Safran Likely to Power Tejas Mk-2 with…
New Delhi: The Modi government is making relentless efforts to upgrade and strengthen the country’s military capabilities. In a major development, India has now taken a significant step toward manufacturing its own fighter jet engines. According to a Moneycontrol report quoting sources, India is considering a partnership with French aerospace and defense company Safran.
This collaboration aims to develop modern engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and to create engines for next-generation indigenous fighter aircraft such as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2.
It is important to note that GE Aerospace, an American defense company, is supplying the F404-IN20 engine for the Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet. However, delays in the supply are affecting the Indian Air Force’s planning. In such a scenario, India is now actively exploring all possibilities to rapidly increase indigenous production.
After Operation Sindoor, India is working tirelessly to increase the number of fighter jets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated that if there is a terrorist attack on the Indian border, the response will be strong — whether the attacker is a state or a non-state element.
The Indian Air Force has a target of 42 squadrons, but currently, only 31 squadrons are available. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had expressed concern over the delay in the delivery of Tejas Mk-1 during the Aero India 2025 show held in Bengaluru in February. In response, HAL stated that the delay was due to technical reasons and would be resolved soon.
The Story of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft
It was around 2009-10 when the program for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) began and the first order for 40 units of the Tejas Mk-1 (32 fighter variants and 8 trainer variants) was placed.
These aircraft were expected to be delivered by 2016. Later, in February 2021, the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a deal worth ₹48,000 crore for a second order of 83 more Tejas Mk-1A aircraft (73 fighters and 10 trainers).
According to the reports, the delivery of this batch was supposed to begin in mid-2024. However, it has been delayed. One of the major reasons for this delay is the late supply of the F404-IN20 engines from the American company GE Aerospace, which are to be installed in these aircraft.
The initial discussions around the deal also included a proposal for up to 80 percent technology transfer.
In March, GE informed that it had delivered 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL under the 2021 order. Before this, GE had already delivered 65 engines for the Mk-1 version by 2016. Another engine by GE — the F414-GE-INS6 — has been selected for the Tejas Mk-2 and the upcoming fifth-generation fighter aircraft, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
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