Latest news with #TejasMk-1
India.com
28-05-2025
- Business
- India.com
Big boost to India's defence sector as India signs major Indo-French Defence deal, Safran Likely to Power Tejas Mk-2 with...
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft New Delhi: The Modi government is making relentless efforts to upgrade and strengthen the country's military capabilities. In a major development, India has now taken a significant step toward manufacturing its own fighter jet engines. According to a Moneycontrol report quoting sources, India is considering a partnership with French aerospace and defense company Safran. This collaboration aims to develop modern engines for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and to create engines for next-generation indigenous fighter aircraft such as the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-2. It is important to note that GE Aerospace, an American defense company, is supplying the F404-IN20 engine for the Tejas Mk-1 fighter jet. However, delays in the supply are affecting the Indian Air Force's planning. In such a scenario, India is now actively exploring all possibilities to rapidly increase indigenous production. After Operation Sindoor, India is working tirelessly to increase the number of fighter jets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently reiterated that if there is a terrorist attack on the Indian border, the response will be strong — whether the attacker is a state or a non-state element. The Indian Air Force has a target of 42 squadrons, but currently, only 31 squadrons are available. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had expressed concern over the delay in the delivery of Tejas Mk-1 during the Aero India 2025 show held in Bengaluru in February. In response, HAL stated that the delay was due to technical reasons and would be resolved soon. The Story of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft It was around 2009-10 when the program for the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) began and the first order for 40 units of the Tejas Mk-1 (32 fighter variants and 8 trainer variants) was placed. These aircraft were expected to be delivered by 2016. Later, in February 2021, the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a deal worth ₹48,000 crore for a second order of 83 more Tejas Mk-1A aircraft (73 fighters and 10 trainers). According to the reports, the delivery of this batch was supposed to begin in mid-2024. However, it has been delayed. One of the major reasons for this delay is the late supply of the F404-IN20 engines from the American company GE Aerospace, which are to be installed in these aircraft. The initial discussions around the deal also included a proposal for up to 80 percent technology transfer. In March, GE informed that it had delivered 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL under the 2021 order. Before this, GE had already delivered 65 engines for the Mk-1 version by 2016. Another engine by GE — the F414-GE-INS6 — has been selected for the Tejas Mk-2 and the upcoming fifth-generation fighter aircraft, AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).
News18
27-05-2025
- Business
- News18
India Explores Engine Deal With France's Safran For Advanced Tejas Mk2 Fleet
Last Updated: After Operation Sindoor, there is a renewed urgency to scale up production and delivery of advanced fighter jets, said defence officials India is exploring a possible collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran to develop jet engines for its next-generation Tejas Mk-2 light combat aircraft. While US-based GE Aerospace currently provides the F404-IN20 engines powering the Tejas Mk-1, supply delays have disrupted delivery schedules, creating challenges for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and slowing the Indian Air Force's efforts to strengthen its fighter fleet, senior defence officials told Moneycontrol. The delays have prompted India to reassess its options and seek additional partnerships that could speed up domestic engine development, they added. The Indian Air Force (IAF), which aims to operate 42 fighter squadrons, currently has just 31 active. Following the heightened security challenges after Operation Sindoor, there is a renewed urgency to scale up production and delivery of advanced fighter jets, said the officials, adding that defence planners are now prioritising alternatives to ensure engine availability and reduce dependence on any single supplier. The strategic reassessment also stems from concerns about the consistency of foreign technology transfers and supply chains. 'All viable options are being evaluated to meet the IAF's growing needs," a senior official told Moneycontrol. India's indigenous fighter program began gaining momentum with the IAF's first Tejas Mk-1 order in 2009-10, comprising 40 aircraft (32 fighters and 8 trainers). A second, much larger order for 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets was signed in 2021, valued at ₹48,000 crore. Deliveries were initially scheduled to begin in mid-2024, but delays in engine shipments from GE have pushed back timelines. GE has delivered one of the 99 F404 engines contracted in 2021, on top of the 65 engines supplied earlier for the Mk-1 fleet. The more advanced F414 engines—also from GE—are designated to power the Tejas Mk-2 variant and India's future fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). However, recurring delays and strategic concerns have brought Safran into focus as a potential partner, the officials said. If discussions succeed, the French firm may be involved in developing engines specifically for the Tejas Mk-2 platform. Future-Ready: The Tejas Mk-2 The Tejas Mk-2, a 4.5-generation fighter weighing approximately 17.5 tonnes, is slated to eventually replace ageing aircraft in the IAF fleet, including the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29. It promises greater range, payload, and versatility than its predecessor, making timely engine development critical. Officials noted that diversifying partnerships is not only about avoiding supply bottlenecks but also about acquiring the technical expertise necessary to build engines domestically. This aligns with India's broader goal under the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiative to reduce reliance on imported defence hardware. As India balances growing security imperatives with industrial ambition, a partnership with Safran—if finalised—could mark a turning point in the country's journey toward self-sufficiency in combat aviation. First Published: May 27, 2025, 23:51 IST
