India gets second GE-404 engine for LCA MK-1A, to receive 12 more by end of current fiscal
The engine has been received by the Public sector firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and it is expected to receive 12 more GE-404 engines by the end of this financial year.
The engines will be fitted on the LCA Mark 1A fighter jets.
The delivery of the engines had been delayed by more than a year due to supply chain issues faced by the American engine manufacturing firm.
Indian Air Force has placed orders for 83 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets and a proposal to buy 97 more of these planes is at an advanced stage after the clearance from the Defence Ministry, officials said.
Earlier this year, GE Aerospace delivered the first of 99 F404-IN20 engines to HAL for the Light Combat Aircraft Mk 1A fighter jet.
The HAL is planning to integrate the engines with the Mark1A fighters and supply over 10 of these planes to IAF.
Recently, Principal Secretary to Prime Minister PK Misra had visited the HAL facilities in Bengaluru and received the LCA Mark 2 project along with the Mark 1A programme.
The LCA Mark 2 project is expected to be the replacement for the aging fleet of Mirage 2000, Jaguar and MiG-29 aircraft around the year 2035.
Over 400 indigenous LCA aircraft are expected to be built by India with the American GE engine variants in the next over 10 years.
More than Rs 9000 Crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and more lethal version of LCA Tejas. To further promote indigenisation, including of the aircraft engine, Transfer of Technology for manufacturing of the GE engine in India was negotiated with GE during Prime Minister's visit to the US in June 2023.
In the coming years, Tejas would be the largest fleet of fighter aircraft to be operated by the Indian Air Force.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Observer
4 hours ago
- Observer
India's Modi and UK PM Starmer ink trade deal
London - Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised Britain's "unique bonds" with India as he and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi formally signed a recently announced UK-India trade deal during talks on Thursday. Starmer hailed the agreement as a "landmark moment" for both countries as he hosted India's leader at his Chequers country estate, northwest of London. "This is not the extent or the limit of our collaboration with India," added the British premier, whose year-old government is struggling to fire up an economy weakened by years of stagnant growth and high inflation."We have unique bonds of history, of family and of culture and we want to strengthen our relationship further, so that it is even more ambitious, modern and focused on the long term," he said. Starmer and Modi announced in May that they had struck a free trade agreement that the British government says will eventually add £4.8 billion ($6.5 billion) a year to the UK economy. The UK and India hope the accord will boost trade between the two countries by £25.5 billion, as well as bolster the British economy and wages. Modi, standing alongside Starmer during a media appearance, described the deal as a "blueprint for our shared prosperity".Britain and India are the sixth and fifth largest global economies, respectively, with a trade relationship worth around £41 billion and investment supporting more than 600,000 jobs across both countries. The accord slashes tariffs on imports of UK goods into India, including whisky, cosmetics, and medical devices. In return, the United Kingdom will cut tariffs on clothes, footwear, and food products, including frozen prawns from India. Starmer and Modi were also likely to discuss last month's Air India disaster in which 241 people died when a London-bound flight crashed after taking off from Ahmedabad in western India . Some 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals were killed in the June 12 crash, one of the deadliest plane disasters in terms of the number of British fatalities.
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Not just curry but also creativity, commitment, character: PM Modi lauds Indian diaspora in UK
London: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised the Indian diaspora in the UK, calling them a vital force in strengthening ties between India and the United Kingdom. He noted that their contribution goes beyond food and extends to creativity, commitment, and character. Speaking during a joint press statement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, PM Modi highlighted the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two countries and underlined the diaspora's role in building cultural and economic connections. "The people of Indian origin in the UK form a living bridge that connects our two nations. They did not just bring curry from India but also creativity, commitment, and character. Their immense contributions are not just limited to the UK's prosperous economy but are also visible in the UK's culture, sports, and public service," PM Modi stated. Earlier in the day, the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed in the presence of both leaders. The agreement aims to boost the movement of goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. During the joint press statement, the Prime Minister also announced a Double Contribution Convention to enhance cooperation in service sectors such as technology and finance. He said the agreements would attract investment and create jobs in both nations. PM Modi also unveiled 'Vision 2035', a long-term roadmap to strengthen cooperation in technology, defence, climate, education, and people-to-people ties. A defence industrial roadmap was also introduced, along with plans to boost collaboration under the Technology Security Initiative in key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, critical minerals, and cybersecurity. "Along with this agreement (CETA), we have also reached a consensus on the Double Contribution Convention. This will inject new energy into the service sectors of both countries, especially in technology and finance. It will promote ease of doing business, reduce the cost of doing business and increase the confidence of doing business from India's skilled talent. These agreements will enhance investments and generate new employment opportunities in both countries. Moreover, as agreements reached between two democracies and two of the world's major economies, they will lend support to global stability and global prosperity," the Prime Minister stated. "Friends, to give new momentum and energy to our comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming decade. Today, we are launching our Vision 2035. Vision 2035 is a roadmap that will form the basis of a strong, trustworthy, and ambitious partnership in the fields of technology, defence, climate, education, and people-to-people connections. A defence industrial roadmap has also been drawn up for partnership in defence and security. Work will continue on strengthening our technology security initiative. It is our commitment that from AI to critical minerals, from semiconductors to cybersecurity, we shall create the future together," PM Modi added. In the education sector, PM Modi spoke about new UK university campuses in India, including the recently inaugurated University of Southampton campus in Gurugram. "Friends, in the field of education, too, we are writing a new chapter together. Six Universities of the UK are opening their campuses in India. Just last week, the University of Southampton inaugurated its campus in the city of Gurugram in India," the Prime Minister said. Drawing a cricket analogy, PM Modi said the sport represents the spirit of the India-UK partnership. "For both of us, cricket is not just a game but a passion. And also a great metaphor for our partnership. There may be a swing and a miss at times, but we always play with a straight bat. We are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership," Modi said. He concluded by thanking the UK PM for his hospitality and extended an invitation to visit India, expressing eagerness to host him soon. The landmark CETA unlocks export opportunities for labor-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products, and toys, generating large-scale employment and empowering artisans, women-led enterprises, and MSMEs, a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. According to the release, the deal will provide unprecedented market access for Indian goods, offering zero-duty access on 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value.
Times of Oman
5 hours ago
- Times of Oman
"New chapter in India-UK economic partnership," PM Modi lauds signing of CETA
London: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a new chapter in the India-UK relationship. PM Modi said that the deal represents India and UK's commitment to enhance trade ties. In a post on X, he said, "A new chapter begins today in the India-UK economic partnership! The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and professionals." "Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather & footwear, marine, gems & jewellery, organic chemicals, plastics, auto parts, artisanal products and services are poised for strong growth. This will ensure further acceleration of India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub. India-UK CETA will add momentum to the 'Make in India' led growth and export promotion. This agreement will also provide Indian consumers with high-quality goods at competitive prices. The future indeed holds the promise of greater prosperity and deeper ties between our nations!" he added. Earlier in the day, while addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi lauded the signing of the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), stating that the agreement marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations. During a joint press statement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, PM Modi highlighted the enhanced market access and economic opportunities for both nations while expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality he received during his official visit to the country. "First of all, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Starmer for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality. Today marks a historic day in our bilateral relationship. I am pleased to note that, after many years of hard work, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between our two countries has been concluded," PM Modi stated. The much-awaited landmark India-UK FTA was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Keir Starmer, providing greater access to goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK.
