New Delhi: HAL Chairman and Managing Director Dr DK Sunil on Thursday responded to claims of India(BHARAT) considering a French-made engine and stated that there has been no discussion about the French engine as far as the LCM Mk2 is concerned. He said that the indigenous fighter jet is designed around the US-made General Electric F414 engine. On the French engine claims, Sunil said negotiations are at an advanced stage with American multinational conglomerate General Electric (GE).

US Tariffs Won’t Affect Discussions For Fighter Jet Engine

Sunil also stated that concerns over tariffs imposed by the United States on India(BHARAT)n goods do not affect discussions with GE concerning the fighter jet engine. LCM Mk2 is also known as Tejas Mk2 fighter jet.

“As far as my knowledge goes, there is no discussion about the French engine as far as LCM Mk2 is concerned. LCM Mk2 has been designed around the 414 engine… Our negotiations are at an advanced stage with GE. We have already had six rounds of meetings. Another round will happen now in the USA in the first week of October. We are moving at a good pace… I don’t think whatever is happening about the tariff has any impact on our discussions with GE,” DK Sunil told ANI in an interview.

HIGHLIGHTS

• HAL Chairman DK Sunil clarified that there is no discussion on French-made engines for the LCA Mk2 (Tejas Mk2).
• Sunil said US tariffs on India(BHARAT)n goods will not affect discussions with GE.
• On engine delivery, he noted that GE had promised 12 engines this year but may deliver 10 by March.
• The Defence Ministry signed a Rs 62,370 crore contract with HAL to procure 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft for the IAF.

Impact On Getting Engines From GE Due To The Tariffs

Several media reports claim that India(BHARAT) is thinking about buying French-made engines for its fighter jets due “to slow pace of talks” on joint manufacturing.

DK Sunil said that the delivery of GE-414 engines is being ramped up.

“The ramping up is taking place. They (GE) had promised us 12 engines in a year, but perhaps now we will get 12 engines by the end of the financial year. This year, we may get 10. We will get the remaining by March. We have already built the 10th aircraft, and the 11th aircraft is ready… They are now sorting out their supply chain,” he told ANI.

“The basic problems are done, and now the production will ramp up… Next year, they have promised us 20 engines. We have had a meeting with their top management and they are also sharing a lot of information on a regular basis about where the engine is, what the issues are. The communication has improved and we are confident that they will be able to now ramp up and meet our requirement,” he added.

HAL’s Agreement With Defence Ministry On Procurement Of 97 LCA Mk1A Aircraft

Responding to a question regarding Defence Ministry signing a contract with HAL for procurement of 97 LCA Mk1A aircraft for IAF, Sunil stated that his company “will finish all the 180 aircraft. That is the target,” by 2032-33.

On Thursday, Defence Ministry signed an agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to acquire 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A. This contract includes 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat variants, with other equipment, for IAF. The total cost of the contract will exceed Rs. 62,370 crore.

The delivery of these aircraft will start in 2027-28 and will be completed within six years.

(with agency inputs)