India Set to Finalize F-414 Jet Engine Deal with US by March, Says HAL Chief

India is preparing to take a major leap in its defense aviation sector, with a landmark deal between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and US defense giant GE Aerospace expected to be sealed by March 2025. The agreement will pave the way for the joint production of GE’s powerful F-414 jet engines in India—an important milestone in the country's push for self-reliance in high-end military technologies.

HAL Chairman and Managing Director C.B. Ananthakrishnan (referred to as D.K. Sunil in some reports) confirmed that crucial negotiations over the Transfer of Technology (ToT) have been successfully concluded, with around 80% of the engine's technology to be transferred to India. With the technical discussions mostly settled, both sides are now focusing on finalizing the commercial terms of the agreement.

The F-414 engine is a high-performance, afterburning turbofan engine used in several frontline fighter aircraft including the US Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet and combat jets in countries like Sweden and Australia. For India, these engines are central to powering the upcoming Tejas Mark 2 variant and the prototype of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a major indigenous fighter jet project.

This deal stems from an announcement made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington in 2023, where both countries pledged deeper cooperation in defense and technology. However, due to the sensitive nature of American military technology, negotiations on ToT took longer than expected. The progress is considered significant as it marks a shift in the traditionally tight US export controls on advanced defense systems.

The Tejas Mark 2, which will benefit from the F-414 engines, is a more advanced version of the current Tejas fighter. It will have increased thrust, improved avionics, a superior electronic warfare suite, and greater payload capacity. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already committed to acquiring around 180 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft, which are expected to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet.

The AMCA project, another major indigenous initiative, aims to build a stealth-capable, deep-strike fighter with advanced features such as internal weapons bays and next-gen sensors. Together with the Tejas, AMCA is envisioned to form the backbone of the Indian Air Force in the coming decades.

In addition to the engine program, HAL has secured a massive order for 156 Prachand Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) from the Ministry of Defence, valued at ₹62,700 crore. Deliveries of these indigenously developed attack helicopters are scheduled to begin in 2028. Designed for high-altitude warfare, Prachand can operate above 4,500 meters and is equipped with rockets, air-to-air missiles, and anti-tank guided missiles—making it ideal for deployment in mountainous terrain like Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.

According to HAL, the Prachand order is the largest-ever helicopter deal in Indian military history and is a major step forward for India’s 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) vision. The successful delivery of 15 limited series variants to the armed forces has already demonstrated HAL’s manufacturing capability and commitment to indigenous defense production.

Together, the F-414 engine collaboration and the Prachand helicopter program mark a transformative phase in India's defense sector—one that combines cutting-edge global partnerships with robust domestic development, reinforcing the country's military readiness for the future.