On August 17, 2021, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) placed an order in GE Aviation, the subsidiary of General Electric (GE), for purchasing 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines worth Rs 5,375 crore (US $716 million) to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
- This order is the largest purchase order placed by HAL for LCA. It was a part of the execution of 83 LCA contracts with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Support services for the engine will also be provided by GE Aviation, USA, as a part of the purchase.
Key Points:
i.HAL is working with GE to develop the export potential of the LCA, and to supply spare parts to the global supply chain of GE 404 engines.
ii.The 99 engines and services will be provided by GE Aviation within 2019. Due to the limited quantities requirement, the F-404 will not be built in India.
iii.From the initial stage, the Tejas LCA has been powered by a single General Electric (GE) F404-IN20 engine.
iv.The engines incorporate GE Aviation’s hot section materials and technologies along with FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control).
v.The F404 family engines have logged in more than 14 million engine flight hours, and have powered 15 different productions and prototype aircrafts.
vi.The next batch of engines will be the bigger and more powerful GE F-414 engines for the Tejas LCA Mark II program. The F-414 engines are likely to be built in India in larger numbers.
Background:
i.In January 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi had approved the procurement of 83 LCA Tejas – 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A Fighter Aircrafts & 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer Aircrafts at a cost of INR 45, 696 crores.
ii.Rs 48, 000 Crore Contract for manufacturing of 83 LCA Tejas was handed over to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) by IAF in February 2021 at the 13th Edition of the Biennial Military Exercise – ‘Aero India 2021’.
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On June 12, 2021, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar inducted the first 3 of 16 Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) MK III into Indian Coast Guard (ICG) to assist in coastal surveillance, rescue operations, and further enhance coastal security.
About Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL):
Establishment – 1940
Headquarters – Bangalore, Karnataka
Chairman and Managing Director – R Madhavan
