HAL chief: Technology absorption for GE F414 engine co-production to take about 3 years

The Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian public sector aerospace and defence manufacturer CB Ananthakrishnan stated that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, for its ambitious co-production of GE F414 jet engines for the Indian Air Force, would probably require a three-year period to assimilate the technology.

“We have already initiated the discussions (with GE Aerospace). As you are aware, the MoU was signed in the month of June for the transfer of technology. And then, subsequent to that, GE also has to get the necessary approvals from their government (the US administration), which has also been approved, is what we understand. And now the next step will be that we will sign a manufacturing licence agreement with GE,” the HAL CMD told ANI in Bengaluru.

“And once that licencing agreement is signed with the GE, subsequent to that, GE will submit to us a formal proposal for the design and development of these engines within the country, for the transfer of technology of the engines within the country. And thereafter, we will start negotiating with them. We will finalise the contract, and the GE will start working on this transfer of technology processes, and we will absorb the technology in the next three-year timeframe,” Ananthakrishnan said.

The Prime Minister was also informed by the senior HAL officials about the coproduction of GE F414 jet engines in India. GE Aerospace and HAL signed a Memorandum of Understanding to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force, marking a significant announcement that coincided with PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June.