HAL Chief Confirms Tejas Mk2 Stays with GE-414, But French Engine Talks Still on Table

The future of India’s LCA Tejas Mk2 fighter jet remains closely tied to the choice of its engine, with the focus largely on the GE F414 engine from the United States. The aircraft has been designed around this American powerplant, but recent reports suggesting that India could shift toward a French-made engine have stirred debate.

Speaking on the matter, HAL Chairman C.B. Ananthakrishnan clarified that the Tejas Mk2 program is built around the GE-414 engine and that no official discussion has taken place regarding a French alternative. He further dismissed speculation that ongoing US tariffs on Indian goods might affect negotiations, stressing that trade measures do not interfere with defense talks between New Delhi and Washington.

However, developments in the past few months indicate that India is also in parallel discussions with Safran SA, the French aerospace giant. While these talks are still exploratory, they cover options ranging from outright purchase to possible joint production of engines in India, in line with the country’s “Make in India” and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliance) goals.

The GE-414 engine is already a proven design, powering several aircraft worldwide, including the US Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and Sweden’s Gripen E. Its selection for the Tejas Mk2 ensures reliability and performance. Yet, the delays in closing negotiations with Washington have left room for speculation about alternative suppliers.

The French side has been eager to expand its defense footprint in India, following major contracts such as the Rafale fighter deal and ongoing collaborations on aircraft maintenance and technology transfer. A partnership with Safran could offer India deeper access to critical jet engine technology, an area where the country has struggled to achieve self-sufficiency for decades.

For now, the official stance remains clear: the Tejas Mk2 will use the GE-414 engine. But as global geopolitics, technology transfer demands, and local manufacturing ambitions shape the future, India may keep its options open. The final decision will likely depend not just on pricing, but also on the extent of technology sharing—a factor India views as crucial to building its own aerospace ecosystem.