SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fighter jet program, the price for the GE-414 engines intended for the Tejas Mark 2 is reportedly on the rise due to cost escalation, according to news agency ANI. This adjustment in pricing comes as part of the negotiations for the technology transfer (ToT) involved in manufacturing these engines domestically.
Sources close to idrw.org have indicated that while the ToT price might increase, the cost for each engine produced locally is expected to hover around $10 million. This estimation aligns with the baseline cost of GE-414 engines observed in the Korean deal for the KF-21 Boramae program, where similar engines are being used.
The deal for 99 GE-414 engines is anticipated to be finalized by the end of March 2025, with local production slated to commence in 2028. The exact unit cost remains under negotiation, but the projections suggest it will be just above the $10 million mark per engine, reflecting both the technological sophistication and the economies of scale expected from local production.
This escalation in engine costs is part of a broader trend where global defense acquisitions face price adjustments due to inflation, supply chain issues, and the evolving nature of technology transfer agreements. For India, the increase in cost is counterbalanced by the strategic advantage of developing indigenous manufacturing capabilities, reducing long-term dependency on foreign suppliers, and potentially lowering costs over time as production scales up.
The agreement with General Electric (GE) for the F-414 engines is crucial for the Tejas Mark 2 project, which aims to enhance the Indian Air Force’s capabilities through advanced, locally produced aircraft. The GE-414 engine, known for its high performance and reliability, is expected to significantly boost the performance of the Tejas Mark 2, making it a formidable asset in modern aerial combat scenarios.
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