'Kind of revolutionary': Defence Secretary Austin on India-US jet engine deal

Terming the India-US fighter jet engine deal ‘revolutionary’, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told the House Appropriations Subcommittee that the United States has a “great relationship” with India and the US is also co-producing an armoured vehicle with India.

“We recently have enabled India to produce a jet weapon, a jet engine in India. And that’s kind of revolutionary. That will provide a great capability to them. We are also co-producing an armoured vehicle with India,’ he said.

‘So, all of these things, when you add them up, are probably more than we have seen happen in that region in a very, very long time,” Austin said.

The jet engine deal holds strategic importance for India and is crucial for the development of indigenous capabilities. Despite efforts by the DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), achieving the desired level of development for an advanced combat jet engine has remained a challenge.

GE-HAL engine deal

The landmark deal was announced last June during the historic Official State Visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US. The General Electric signed a memorandum of understanding with Hindustan Aeronautics to make fighter jet engines for the IAF.

GE’s memorandum of understanding with HAL includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India. “GE Aerospace continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorization for this. The effort is part of the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 program,” GE Aerospace had said in a statement. These engines will be used in the made-in-India Tejas Mark-2 fighter jets.Once its production starts in India, the GE F414 will power all future fighter jets including the Tejas Mk II, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) as well as the indigenous Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) for the Indian Navy.

What makes the GE F414 engine so special though?

It is the power behind the Boeing’s Super Hornets and the Gripen fighter jets. GE describes the F414 as an American afterburning turbofan engine in the 22,000-pound (98 kN) thrust class. It offers unrestricted engine performance on demand with rapid engine throttle response and zero throttle restrictions. Excellent afterburner light and stability ensure extra thrust is ready on demand when needed. Experts state that the F414 features the latest technologies, proving its versatility and hence, has become the engine of choice for an increasing number of advanced, next-generation combat aircraft.

The GE F414 is a derivative of the GE F404 engine, which was developed in the 1970s. It produces up to 18,000 pounds of thrust, which gives it the power to operate a variety of aircraft in a variety of missions. This engine is also designed for easy maintenance, which reduces the cost of ownership and it meets all current environmental regulations, and is designed to be even more environmentally friendly in the future.

The engine also uses an integrated electronic engine instrumentation; this provides real-time data on the engine’s performance that enables pilots to make informed decisions about the engine. Its wide chord, high-pressure compressor (HPC) provides greater efficiency and lower emissions than previous generation engines.

But this engine doesn’t come cheap. According to reports, GE’s F414 comes with a price tag of $3.71 million (Rs 30 crore).