Biden Administration Informs US Congress About India's GE-F414 Engine Deal Notification
Get the latest update on the significant development as the Biden Administration informs the US Congress about India's GE-F414 engine deal notification. Stay informed about this technology transfer and collaboration between the two nations.
US Notifies Congress About GE-F414 Engine Deal for India's LCA Mark II Aircraft
In a significant step, the US State Department has officially informed the US Congress about the Biden Administration's decision to facilitate the production of GE-F414 jet engines using the full transfer of technology (ToT) approach in India. These engines will power the LCA Mark II aircraft, which is set to be manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The notification was submitted to Congress on July 28, and the deal will gain final approval after the mandatory 30-day period.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between GE and HAL was formally established on June 22, 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US. While the specifics of the deal have not been extensively disclosed by the Indian government, it is expected that the US Congress will endorse the engine manufacturing arrangement, considering its alignment with American national security interests.
Although official details are limited, it is anticipated that the GE F 414 engines will play a pivotal role in propelling various aircraft, including the LCA MK II, the AMCA Mark I, and the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) designed for India's aircraft carrier, developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the DRDO. The forthcoming years are projected to witness a demand for around 100 engines for the LCA Mark II fighter and approximately 200 engines for the twin-engine AMCA Mark I and TEDBF projects. The ADA's timeline remains on track, with plans to unveil the LCA Mark II prototype by late 2024 or early 2025.
Joint Commitment on Co-Production and Technology Transfer Proposal Strengthened Between India and US
Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in June, a joint statement was issued emphasizing the mutual commitment of both nations to collaborate and expedite efforts in support of an unprecedented co-production and technology transfer proposal. While the LCA Mark I currently relies on GE-404 engines, the more powerful GE-414 engine, which drives the combat-proven US F-18 multirole jet fighter, is set to empower India's endeavors.
Observers in Washington have indicated that the US Congress holds a 30-day period to seek clarifications on the deal, with approval anticipated by the end of this month. Given the strong alliance between India and the US, highlighted by their partnership in QUAD and the Indo-Pacific region, the notification to the US Congress is largely considered a procedural formality, as the bilateral relationship has garnered bipartisan support for decades.
The GE-F-414 agreement was established through collaborative efforts between National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan during the inaugural Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) initiative dialogue on January 31, 2023, in Washington.
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